Steward Parents Share Career Insights

What do a critical care physician, advertising creative director, special needs financial planner, non-profit events coordinator, and yacht designer all have in common? They were all volunteers at Steward’s second-annual Future Me Fair. Steward parents with these careers were among several volunteer leaders who inspired Spartans in Grades 2-8 on November 10 in the Bryan Innovation Lab.

The Future Me Fair goes beyond a traditional career expo, explained event coordinator Jentae Scott-Mayo, Steward’s JK-12 school counselor.

“The Future Me Fair focuses on empowering students to think critically about their passions, strengths, and aspirations, while practicing communication, networking, and decision-making skills in real-world scenarios,” said Mrs. Scott-Mayo. “This event inspires students to envision the ‘future me’ they want to become and take actionable steps toward achieving those goals.”

Presenters were grouped into categories that reflect Steward’s core values (academic achievement, care & respect, civil discourse, individuality, innovation, and inspiration), helping students connect what they are learning in school to their future goals. 

“By framing the fair around Steward’s core values, we not only highlight the ‘why’ behind students’ daily learning but also show students how these skills will prepare and benefit them in the future,” Mrs. Scott-Mayo said. “Importantly, we want to broaden the idea of planning beyond careers and academics to also include how students contribute to their own well-being, families, and communities in positive and meaningful ways.”

The event was designed as an interactive experience: Students were given suggested questions and age-appropriate scavenger hunts to guide their conversations as they visited the booths and tables. They practiced their public speaking skills and were held accountable for the information they received as they filled out their scavenger hunt sheets. This structure aligns with how students learn at Steward — through exploration, connection, and active learning.

“The Future Me Fair helped me feel less overwhelmed with the looming idea of the future,” Megan Welch ’31 said. “It gave me guidance in seeking the bright future that Steward has helped me cultivate and dream of.”

Ms. Scott-Mayo concluded: “What is so often overlooked, yet so deeply gained from experiences like this, is the cultivation of a vital protective factor: instilling hopes and dreams for the future. Having a vision for tomorrow is essential to whole-child well-being and empowers students to thrive as productive, contributing, and inspiring members of their communities. Equally important is that even when students encounter careers they may not personally pursue, they build a broader frame of reference and a genuine appreciation for how every individual’s unique gifts and talents enrich our shared world.” 

View the Steward Snaps from the Future Me Fair.