students in career exploration. When the Bermuda College contacted various businesses to participate in its fourth annual career expo held on January 6 this year, they were happy to oblige, according to associate dean of the faculty of hotel and business Mrs. Valerie Nelmes. "We had excellent co-operation from the business firms and hotels,'' she said, adding that accommodating groups of school children was quite a jolt to the normal workings of a company. "It was good of them to have us,'' she said. The Bermuda College invited 125 fifth-year students from every secondary school on the Island to participate in career expo. Approximately 111 students took advantage of the invitation, said Mrs. Nelmes. Students arrived at the College in the morning with their parents. And after being welcomed, business lecturer Mr. Duranda Burgess talked about available business programmes in the College.

Lecturer and acting associate dean for the hospitality programme Mrs. Ann Parsons then talked to students about hospitality courses. As well, students were addressed by past and present students of the College, said Mrs. Nelmes.

"We contacted graduates, who are now working in a successful business, and asked them to speak. "Present Bermuda College students also spoke about what they are taking, their thoughts and their plans. "It was very effective for the secondary students,'' said Mrs. Nelmes, "because it came right out of the horse's mouth, so to speak. They heard it first hand and were very enthusiastic.'' The students also received a tour of the College campus including the Stonington Beach Hotel. And lunch was provided by the chefs' programme at the College, said Mrs. Nelmes, adding that students and parents said the food was excellent. Students spent the afternoon in businesses and hotels to see first hand what a particular job entails and what is required of the employee, noted Mrs. Nelmes, who had previously arranged for students to visit the various businesses. Organisations involved included Arthur Andersen, Belco, Marsh & McLennan, the Bank of Butterfield and the Bank of Bermuda, Johnson & Higgins, Conyers, Dill & Pearman, Heddington and Appleby, Spurling & Kempe as well as the Belmont, Southampton Princess and Hamilton Princess hotels. Students went in groups of about ten to the firm or hotel of their choice, where they stayed for approximately an hour-and-a-half. And at the end of their visit, students were required to fill out evaluation forms for the College. "Students were well behaved and very attentive,'' said Mrs. Nelmes.

"I think they really enjoyed the day. They were interested in seeing the campus and the business or hotel facilities first hand.'' The goal of career expo is to present young people with knowledge of available programmes at the College. "It is an information session,'' said Mrs. Nelmes. "We put it on in hopes that students will apply to our programme. We also want to give them incentive to work hard at school in order to meet our requirements. "We want to encourage students to attend the Bermuda College rather than go abroad. If a programme is not offered at the College,'' said Mrs. Nelmes, "by all means go away. But take what education your own country can give you. It's also so much cheaper. "And the only difference between our studies and those abroad is that students go home every night. The standard of learning is just as high if not higher,'' she said. The Bermuda College wants every school child to know what is on their door-step, said Mrs. Nelmes. "We are here to serve the community and offer students what they need to equip themselves for the working world. "We are very conscious of businesses' desire to hire Bermudians. But they must be good at what they do. And career expo shows students what is available to them.'' She said the student evaluation forms showed students were not sure if they would apply to the College or not. But at least they learn what is available. "The Island's secondary schools support the hospitality and business expo tremendously. And we see the programme as necessary,'' said Mrs. Nelmes, adding that the College will continue to plan career expos for all secondary schools.