More than 1,000 eighth-grade students, including a large group from the Greater Amsterdam School District, had a unique opportunity to begin exploring future career paths during Career Con this week at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College. Held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, the event brought together students from across the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES region to learn about career opportunities available within the local job market.
Amsterdam students were among those who visited a variety of interactive booths set up by businesses and organizations from across the region. Each table represented different career clusters, allowing students to engage with professionals in fields ranging from manufacturing and construction to healthcare, public safety, and business management. The event was designed to introduce students to the types of careers available locally, helping them understand how their education can align with future job opportunities.
“The purpose of events like Career Con is to help our students see the possibilities that exist within their own community,” said GASD Superintendent Richard Ruberti. “By exposing them to different career pathways early on, we hope to inspire them to make informed educational choices that can lead to fulfilling careers while also strengthening our local workforce.”
Approximately 65 businesses and organizations participated in the event, representing all 16 nationally recognized career clusters. With this exposure, Amsterdam students gained valuable insight into potential careers and the skills needed to pursue them, laying the groundwork for future educational and career decisions. Organizers, including HFM BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE), SUNY FMCC, and the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, plan to continue Career Con as an annual event aimed at preparing students for success in the regional job market.