At the start of 2019, Career Carnival for Kids was but a spark of an idea: quite simply, to encourage career exploration among younger students. Over the course of many months – and many discussions over many cups of coffee, leading to very many emails, calls, and meetings with the individuals who would soon become our first volunteers – that little spark became a successful pilot program.
We held our first Career Carnivals at Butler Community Center, Center Grove Elementary School and Parsippany Library. Collectively, these events introduced about 350 students to an array of jobs across such industries as automotive, aviation, culinary, engineering, health and wellness, law enforcement, military and more.
Over 100 parents, teachers and administrators took part in Career Carnival for Kids, as well. Many gained a broader understanding of the opportunities awaiting their children and students, and some left with new career aspirations of their own.
None of this could have happened without our amazing volunteers, many of whom joined us for more than one event. All told, volunteers from 35 different companies, nonprofits, professional associations and schools brought their enthusiasm and knowledge, along with engaging hands-on activities, fun games, and lots of fabulous takeaways, to inspire the next generation of workers.
| Volunteer Companies/Organizations | |
| Bernadine Ferrari (Artist) | Morris County Sheriff’s Office |
| ASCE | Morris County School of Technology |
| AWWA NJ | Mott Macdonald |
| Baumwoll Orthodontics | Parsippany Library |
| Berkeley College | Parsippany Police |
| BMW | Patriots Path Council Boy Scouts |
| Butler Fire Department | Pediatric Dental Associates of Randolph |
| Butler Library | Pop-a-Lock of Northern NJ |
| Code Ninjas | Randolph Police Department |
| Core Salon | Randolph YMCA |
| County College of Morris | Red Lobster |
| Goryeb Children’s Hospital | Second Melody |
| HNTB | Shoprite |
| Lakeland Hills YMCA | The Art Diner |
| Mayo Performing Arts Center | US Army |
| Morris County 4H | Weichert Realtors |
| Morristown Airport | Weis |
| Morris Cty Div of Mosquito Control | |
| Volunteer Event Staff | |
| Lalitha Chilakapati | Devin Flanders |
| Gloria DiDomenico | Sharon Hollander |
Career Carnival for Kids 