LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- The School No. 1 gymnasium was packed wall-to-wall Wednesday night (Oct. 8) as several hundred Linden High School students and their families turned out for the districtโs biggest College & Career Fair to date.
The event featured more than 80 representatives from colleges, trade schools, military branches, and career programs across the tri-state area -- all on hand to help students explore their next steps after graduation.
โThis was our largest fair yet,โ said Laura Golebiewski, College & Career Counselor at Linden High School. โWeโre incredibly proud of how engaged our students were and how many different pathways they were able to learn about tonight.โ
The fair offered something for everyone: from four-year universities and two-year colleges to hands-on trade programs, modeling and acting schools, and branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Representatives from law enforcement and emergency services, including the Linden Police and Fire Departments, also spoke with students about careers in public service.
Throughout the evening, recruiters were quick to compliment the maturity and preparation of Linden students. โMultiple reps shared how impressed they were with the thoughtful questions our students asked,โ said Golebiewski. โItโs clear theyโre thinking seriously about their futures.โ
Midway through the evening, the school cafeteria hosted a special session for families on financial aid, led by a representative from HESAA and a financial aid expert from Rutgers UniversityโNewark. The presentation covered FAFSA, grants, and planning strategies to help students and parents navigate the college funding process.
All Linden High School students were invited to attend the event โ no matter their grade level โ because, as Golebiewski reminded, โitโs never too early to start planning.โ