Utica, NY (WIBX) - The annual Career Exploration Program at Proctor High School brought together many local businesses and community groups for Career Day to talk to students about their options for the future. Hundreds of students gathered in the school's gymnasium to hear the more than 40 professionals talk about career options and ways to reach personal goals.

Gary Harvey, Administrator at Proctor High School and Director of the Youth Construction Initiative Program said the aim is to get them ready for life after high school. He said, "The goal is really to show them that even though we're in a tough economy there's educational opportunities and there's still work opportunities and we want them to really diversify their portfolio so they can see the different things that they can go into but mainly to really start thinking about a future." Harvey said another aim of the program is to also encourage businesses to invest in the area, which will allow many young people to consider a career in the Greater Mohawk Valley after graduation.

Several students at the event said they gained a lot of information and have a good idea about how to work towards reaching their career goals after hearing from representatives from the fields they are interested in pursuing after graduation. The event was organized by the Genesis Group of Utica and The School and Business Alliance.

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