St. Joseph High School Hosts Alumni Career Fair: Bridging Past and Future

On April 2, St. Joseph High School held its reimagined Alumni Career Fair, welcoming nearly 40 alumni from the Class of 1966 to the Class of 2021 back to campus for a powerful day of connection and career exploration.

The event, hosted in the school gymnasium and auditorium, transformed the space into a vibrant hub of inspiration, where juniors and seniors engaged with alumni professionals across a wide range of industries—from law, business, and engineering to health care, education, and more. Upon arrival, each alum was greeted with a personalized name tag that paired their senior portrait with their current job title—a striking visual reminder of how far their St. Joe’s journey has taken them and a fun icebreaker for student conversations.

“Today’s fair was a celebration of the Cadet spirit at every stage of life,” said David Klein, President of St. Joseph High School. “Our alumni brought incredible energy and wisdom to share with the next generation. It’s moments like this that remind us of the lifelong connection that exists within our community.”

In the weeks leading up to the fair, the College and School Counseling department worked closely with students to help them make the most of this opportunity. Through workshops and guided discussions, students not only learned how to network but also developed specific, intentional questions for the alumni in attendance.

“Our goal was to empower students to be curious and confident,” said Terence Houlihan, Director of College and School Counseling. “They walked into the gym prepared—not just to listen, but to truly engage. You could feel the buzz in the room.”

Each alumni participant hosted a table, many of which were decorated with business cards, promotional materials, industry tools, and even photos from their time as a student. Juniors entered the gym first, exploring the tables and conducting mini-interviews with the alumni. Seniors followed shortly after and were then given the opportunity to attend up to three alumni panel discussions in the auditorium. These panels, which covered fields such as Law & Law Enforcement, Leadership in Business, Health & Wellness, and Engineering, were selected in advance by students and marked by color-coded lanyards—giving the event a professional, conference-like feel.

After a morning of discussions and discovery, alumni joined the Advancement Team and Mr. Klein for lunch in the Student Commons, where conversations continued in a more casual setting. They were then led on campus tours by student ambassadors. In some cases, alumni took the lead on the tours themselves, walking the halls and sharing cherished memories of the school before its many renovations.

“I couldn’t believe how much the campus has changed—and yet, how much still felt like home,” shared John Corraro '11. “It’s been so rewarding to meet students who remind me of myself at their age.”

The day concluded with smiles, new connections, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Faculty played a key role in supporting the event, both by supervising students and encouraging participation. Though it was the first event of this format at St. Joes, the success was undeniable.

“As with any first-time initiative, we expected a few hiccups,” said Mr. Houlihan, “but the response from students and alumni alike was incredibly positive. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

Plans are already underway to continue offering alumni the chance to return, reconnect, and inspire. The Alumni Career Fair proved to be more than an event—it was a testament to the enduring strength of the St. Joseph High School community.

If you are an alum interested in sharing your career journey with future Cadets, we would love to welcome you at next year’s Alumni Career Fair! To learn more or express your interest, please reach out to the program’s co-director, Mrs. Maria Martinez, Director of Marketing and Communications, at mmartinez@sjcadets.org. Your story could be the inspiration that sparks a student's future!

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