Have open mind at expo, says scholarship winner

Katherine Wilson still has fond memories of her careers expo visit a decade ago. Photo / Supplied

The Hawke's Bay Careers Expo has been helping students identify their desired career paths for 21 years.

Katherine Wilson still recalls her school's trip to the annual expo almost a decade on.

"I went in 2005 with Central Hawke's Bay College and it was great," Ms Wilson said.

"In seventh form I thought I wanted to be a nurse but the expo introduced me to physiotherapy," she said.

Katherine decided to pursue physiotherapy at Otago University.

She was awarded the Hawke's Bay Today Careers Expo Scholarship in 2005, which she shared with Lisa Pohatu from Flaxmere College.

"I shared the scholarship with another girl, we still keep in touch and are good friends," Ms Wilson said.

The two received the same amount which Katherine used to get herself down to Dunedin and contribute to her course costs.

Katherine urges students attending the expo this year to go in with an open mind.

"Be willing to ask questions and learn about what you want to do and what is out there," she says.

The expo will be held at the Pettigrew Green Arena May 19 from 9am-1.30pm for schools and 4:30pm-7:30pm for the general public.

The remaining schools will visit on Wednesday, May 20, from 9am to 1.30pm.