High school is one of the most important stages in any student's academic career. From the first day of freshman year to the moment graduating seniors throw their mortarboards in the air, the high school experience challenges students to explore the endless possibilities of the future and discover themselves along the way. At Penn Manor High School (PMHS), guidance counselors work year-round to prepare students for adult life, but their biggest event of the year is Education Day, a career fair that gives students an opportunity to learn about more than 100 colleges, businesses, trade schools and military branches.

This year, Education Day will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, in the East Gymnasium at PMHS, located at 100 E. Cottage Ave., Millersville. The event is open to all PMHS students as well as their family members and legal guardians. Booths operated by representatives from colleges, businesses, trade schools and military branches will offer information and resources for participants as they discern which path to take after high school.

"It's all about making connections," said Nicole Moss, a career aide at PMHS. "Education Day is such a great opportunity for them to network, meet representatives face to face. It's so helpful for students to get to know them in that atmosphere."

Although each organization will highlight various career paths students may take in the future, many participating businesses will offer information about internships, mentorships and job opportunities available to youths as they finish high school. This year, Education Day will feature the most representatives from local businesses since the annual event began more than three decades ago. Marjean Long, a guidance counselor at PMHS, coordinates Education Day every year.

As Education Day approaches, guidance counselors at PMHS are taking a different approach to prepare students for the event. The school typically conducts a survey prior to the event to learn which vocations students are most interested in learning about, and it invites representatives based on the survey's results. Instead of conducting a survey this year, school staff members are encouraging students to research a list of organizations that will participate in Education Day, identify an organization that interests them and pick five questions to ask representatives during the event. Students and staff members also collaborated to make a video that details the dos and don'ts of going to a career fair.

In addition to Education Day, the counseling department at PMHS organizes field trips, workshops and seminars throughout the school year. "The goal is really to prepare kids for life after high school by offering different learning experiences and opportunities," Moss said. "We hope students' biggest takeaway is unlocking these connections in the community."