5th Grade College and Career Day 2025

Inyo County’s 5th Grade College and Career Day took place on Friday, May 9th at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop to promote college and career readiness to students at the elementary level before they transition to middle school. 197 students from 4 school districts participated in this interactive experience, introducing students to a variety of career options including graphic arts, art, fitness, law enforcement, veterinary science, archaeology, high school counseling, health care and law enforcement. The field trip was sponsored by the Inyo County Office of Education and Cerro Coso Community College. Students had fun trying on tactical vests, learning to suture and read x-rays, exercising through a series of stations using fitness equipment, recording data at a model archaeology site, sketching on graphic arts programs, visiting a mini vet hospital, and playing games to prepare for the transition to middle school. For 10-11 year olds, it may seem like college and career are in the very distant future, but in reality students begin down that path in the middle school years by developing strong study habits and being engaged in school. We hope that participating students will be inspired to embrace a path that leads to college and career.

During the May 9th field trip, students were exposed to some of the career training opportunities that our local community college offers including transferring to a 4-year college from Cerro Coso after obtaining an Associate Degree in a variety of areas: kinesiology, administration of justice, studio arts, engineering, and liberal arts.

Many staff and volunteers helped to make the College and Career Day a success. Inyo County Office of Education and Cerro Coso Community College wish to thank: Naomi Hart-Johnson and C5 Studios (Art); Nita Eddy and BUHS Medical Assisting students (Health Care); Will Centre (Graphic Arts and BUHS Advanced Graphic Arts students; Christie Nesbit (BUHS Guidance Counselor and Cerro Coso Community College Instructor with BUHS Link Crew students; Ashley Blythe-Haverstock (USFS Archaeology); Kelly Ludwick (Kinesiology); Nikki Milici (DVM and Bishop Veterinary Hospital) and Officer Burton,Officer Lawson, and the Bishop Police Department (Law Enforcement).