Fairfield, CA- Eighth-grade students from across the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) gathered at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Suisun City for the annual Inspire: Dreams Start Now! event on October 8, 2024. This exciting career field trip, designed to inspire young minds, gave eighth-grade students from across the district the opportunity to discover their passions and explore a variety of career paths available within their local community.
Participants in this year's event included a wide range of community partners and local professionals, offering students firsthand experiences in various career fields. The event featured an impressive lineup of local organizations and professionals, all of whom played a vital role in inspiring the next generation. Participation groups included:
Anchored California
Bank of Stockton
Connections for Life
Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield Public Works
Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District
FSUSD Maintenance and Operations
FSUSD Technology Support Services (TSS)
Gillespie Abbey Carpet and Flooring
Kaiser Permanente
Salvation Army Kroc Center
Medic Ambulance
Milan Institute
National Guard
Navy Federal Credit Union
NorthBay Health
Operating Engineers and Apprenticeship
Patelco Credit Union
Republic Services
Sheet Metal/Local 104
Sheree Rayford Creative Services
Solano Community College Cosmetology
Solano Community College Mechatronics
Solano Sheriff’s Office
Suisun City Fire Department
Suisun City Police Department
Travis Air Force Base CRW Wing
Travis Air Force Base David Grant Medical Center
Valley Strong Credit Union
Armijo High School Career Technical Education (AHS CTE)
Rodriguez High School Career Technical Education (RHS CTE)
These organizations gave students hands-on experiences and a chance to explore real-world applications of their education. Students learned CPR from the Travis Air Force Base medical team, operated a virtual forklift, and even explored the basics of financial literacy with Patelco and Valley Strong Credit Unions.
Kristen Witt, Director of Secondary Education, shared her thoughts on the impact of the event: “The Inspire Dreams Start Now event was a powerful opportunity for our 8th graders to envision their futures and discover the many career possibilities available within our community. The excitement was palpable as students controlled a virtual forklift, learned CPR from the Air Force medical unit, and explored the components of checking with Navy Federal Credit Union. The joy and smiles on their faces were priceless, and we are grateful to partners like Medic Ambulance for helping make this experience even more memorable by providing every student with a backpack.”
Among the interactive experiences, students learned about careers in public safety from Suisun Police and Fire Departments, explored trades through Sheet Metal/Local 104, and discovered medical field opportunities with NorthBay Health and Travis Air Force Base’s David Grant Medical Center. Local businesses like Gillespie Abbey Carpet and Flooring and Valley Strong Credit Union helped students understand the pathways to entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
The FSUSD Inspire: Dreams, Start Now! event continues to be an invaluable initiative, motivating students to pursue their dreams while connecting them with the community resources and support systems that can help make those dreams a reality. FSUSD is committed to fostering a bright future for all students, helping them to recognize that their journey toward a meaningful career begins now.