Arcadia High School (AHS) hosted its annual Career and Internship Expo inside the CTE Gym on Feb. 12, providing students with opportunities to explore different career paths and internship options. The event, held from periods 4 to 6 and during lunch, featured a selection of local businesses, school organizations, and public service departments eager to engage with students. A livestream panel was also available during period 3 for those interested in hearing directly from industry professionals.
From public service to media production, the expo showcased a wide range of fields. The Arcadia Fire Department and Arcadia Police Department discussed careers in law enforcement and emergency response, while school programs like Apache News, the student-run weekly news show, and DCI (Digital Communications Internship) encouraged students to get involved in media, journalism, and digital communications. DCI, an internship that focuses on social media management for Arcadia Unified School District, allows students to gain hands-on experience in content creation and public engagement.
“I liked the [Arcadia] Fire Department booth,” said sophomore Landon Barnes. “They talked about what it takes to become a firefighter and their day-to-day lives. It was exciting to learn about the different kinds of [career] paths they offered.”
The expo also introduced students to career opportunities in public service, trade, education, medical fields, STEM, and on-campus programs. Businesses such as Lincoln Tech, a provider of technical skills training, and Alliance Environmental Group, which specializes in environmental and indoor air quality, were among those offering insight into their industries.
This year’s expo featured a greater number of booths compared to previous years, offering students more chances to explore potential careers and connect with professionals. Some booths even allowed students to sign up for internships on the spot, providing direct access to work experience opportunities. Throughout the day, students engaged with representatives, asked questions, and gathered information about different industries.
“My favorite booth was the tutoring booth [Young Scholars Institute] because of their spinning wheel. It’s fun to see what prize you’ll get. They also had information on tutoring and test prep, which can help me on my SATs,” said sophomore Lucas Yang.
Some English teachers brought their classes to the event, allowing students to explore booths and engage with industry professionals during school hours. Organized by the College and Career Center, it aimed to provide students with firsthand exposure to a variety of industries and possibilities.
The Career and Internship Expo continues to serve as an important event for AHS, offering students insight into different career fields and helping them build connections that could shape their future opportunities.
