Inspiring Montreal high school students: EMSB’s 25th annual Education & Career Fair
Posted October 23, 2025 11:14 am.
Last Updated October 23, 2025 4:08 pm.
Helping students find their path after high school was once again at the heart of the English Montreal School Board’s (EMSB) annual Education and Career Fair, held Wednesday night at the St. Pius X Career Centre in Ahuntsic.
Now in its 25th edition, the event brought together hundreds of grade nine, 10, and 11 students for an evening focused on exploring their future possibilities — from vocational training to CEGEP and University.
“As you walk through the door, there’s a wealth of knowledge waiting for them down the stairs,” said Lovina Brown, Academic & Vocational Information Councillor at the SHADD Health & Business Centre.
“Everyone is there to assist the students in establishing or fine-tuning or navigating their path to their career and their professional success,” she added.
This year’s edition was slightly different than their usual scheduling — what used to be a two-day event during the day was instead condensed into one open house for all from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Like their previous events, special information sessions were held in the auditorium.
CityNews Montreal’s Pamela Pagano hosted the two presentations which featured live testimonials from vocational students. These sessions gave attendees a more personal, inside look at real experiences and career pathways.
“At that young age, most of them, even some young adults, they don’t know. They might have had to pivot from one school or from one career to another,” said Brown. “It’s given individuals other opportunities to choose and to select what’s out there.”
Having the wide variety of post-secondary options all in one location, allowed students to first-handedly explore programs and speak directly with representatives.
The St. Pius X Career Centre plaza was buzzing with conversations as dozens of booths showcased what they have to offer — students were even able to give many programs a quick trial: like getting their hair or nails done from current students at the Laurier Macdonald Career Centre, or were even seen changing tires, welding, trying out computer graphics and much more.
“They’re demonstrating and showing them,” said Brown. “So it’s like not just words on paper.”
“It’s a live experience,” she added. “That they could participate in and see.”
