Mammoth Lakes, CA – October 22, 2024

For Immediate Release

Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce Partners with Local High Schools for Career Compass Exploration Day

On Tuesday, October 22, the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2nd annual Career Compass Exploration Day, transforming Mammoth High School into a hub for career exploration. The Chamber “took over” the school for a day, filling each period with presentations from professionals in various industries. The event welcomed 420 students from Mammoth High School, Sierra High School, Lee Vining High School, and Coleville High School–nearly every high school in Mono County.

The Chamber worked tirelessly for months sourcing volunteer presenters for the day.

Over 80 community volunteers, including local businesses and entities, retired professionals, and non-profits, shared their personal career experiences with students across industries ranging from hospitality and tourism to healthcare, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), and construction.

The Chamber’s Career Compass Day is designed to equip local students with the knowledge and confidence they need to enter the workforce. By connecting students with real-world professionals and potential mentors, the event helps foster a more prepared and confident workforce for the future.

“The Chamber puts a lot of hard work into this event because we know that today’s students are tomorrow’s workforce,” said Spanish Teacher Caroline Heavican. “Without our amazing volunteers, this wouldn’t have been possible. It’s truly a team effort, and I believe it was a huge success.” Principal Mark Brewer added, “It’s great to see the collaboration between the school, the Chamber, and the community. The students responded positively, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make this day happen.”

Cerro Coso College, one of the key local education partners, also participated with counselors on hand to answer questions, highlighting the next steps students can take in their educational journey. MammothLakesChamber.org (760) 934-2712 P.O. Box 3268 2520 Main Street Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Growing Business, Building Community

Ashley Wisniewski, Human Resources at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, reflected on the students’ participation: “One of the questions that kept coming up was how to manage stress, and the students really impressed me with their answers. They talked about stepping back, taking a breather, and doing something that makes them happy.”

One student summed up the day by saying, “I got to meet a lot of people and explore different career options. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot.”

Thanks go out to everyone involved—from the Chamber and the school to the many volunteers. This collective effort ensured the event’s success and demonstrated the community’s commitment to shaping the future workforce of Mammoth Lakes.