Hillcrest High School’s career day brought together students and professionals from across industries to share insights, inspiration and real-world experience. 

This year’s theme, “Look Ahead,” encouraged students to think about their futures while taking advantage of opportunities already around them.

Career day coordinator Cher Burbank said the theme reflected her goal to help students balance forward planning with present awareness. 

“My job is work-based learning, and I’m always telling students to be forward-thinking and to start thinking about their futures,” Burbank said. “I learned something from the presenters at this year’s career day. It is to see what’s right in front of them in the present and I think that is so beneficial. There are opportunities for students all around them, and if they have the right attitude and look for different options right now, they will find them in so many resources.”

That was a lesson Hillcrest High student Lauren Ravasa Alcara learned while talking to presenter and former Hillcrest High School Principal Sue Malone.

“I’m interested in political science and law, so when I was asked to present Ms. Malone, who is in education, I was OK, but I wasn’t pumped,” Ravasa Alcara said. “But when I started talking to her, I learned she’s big into debate and has the background I want to pursue — and she knows everyone. She told me to do what makes you a good person that stands out and say yes to every opportunity. I got a bunch of good advice I wouldn’t have gotten if I didn’t agree to present her as a speaker.”

Three speakers gave students lessons from the film world.

Director and business owner Damarr Jones emphasized the importance of persistence and building relationships.

 “At the end of the day, you are your biggest agent, so get to know people in the industry,” he told students. “It’s an everyday mentality, you can’t just pick it up in a day. It’s showing up every day.” 

Entrepreneur and actor Tua Kealoha shared his own story of perseverance in a competitive field. “I didn’t always get the role and not everyone gets back to me. I was working when everyone was sleeping,” Kealoha said. “It’s your art platform — do what you like to do and practice it every day. I get 100 no’s before you get a yes. Not everyone is going to like you or your stuff, but when you get the yes, there’s nothing better. There are opportunities around the corner, go get it.”

He encouraged students to “follow your dreams instead of the crowd and make every day count with purpose.”

Former NFL player and film producer JD Allen echoed the theme of hard work and commitment: “If you work as hard as I have, I know you will be something special.”

Hillcrest senior Yadiel Rodriguez spoke with Kealoha afterward. He said career day helped confirm his long-term goals. 

“It’s very cool to talk to him about film; I want to be a filmmaker,” he said.

Speaker Chuck Smith, a nursing CEO, spoke about the importance of leadership and dedication in healthcare careers.

Propulsion engineer Kelly Patitz brought a message of resilience and curiosity, sharing how early failures help people grow. 

“Einstein was a huge failure, but nobody talks about it because he dared to fail; it stretched him and he became a huge success,” she said.

Patitz spoke about Utah’s strong support for aerospace engineering and the new opportunities created by artificial intelligence. 

“AI doesn’t kill jobs; it generates a huge subset of jobs that never existed — just use it responsibly,” she said.

Her passion for aviation began early in life. 

“At age 13, I told my dad what I wanted to do and it changed my life,” Patitz said. “I soloed on my 16th birthday, got my license at age 17, then continued with flight training.” 

Her advice to students: “Be positive, be a good friend, flush the negative — don’t let it take ahold of your life. It’s OK to fail; it stretches yourself to the next level. Your future starts with what choices you make today.”

Other student ambassadors include Dannica Lange, Luke Giacoletto, Senya Walker, Abhinav Raneesh and Maria Acosta.