FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio - Finding a career path while in high school can be an equally daunting and confusing affair.

In an effort to provide some guidance to those students who know what field they want to study or to spark interest in others who are still unsure what the future holds, the Fairview PTA has scheduled its annual Career Night for 7 to 9 p.m. April 12 in the Fairview High School gym.

"We'll have more than 80 different career professionals present that evening," Career Night Chairperson Cathi Patton said. "The students can talk to the professionals, who kind of showcase their careers.

"They let the students know what the opportunities are, what the schooling is like and some of the realistic parts of their job, as well, not just maybe the glamour and glitz. We think that's important."

In attendance will be healthcare, engineering, aeronautics and science professionals. Also present at Career Night will be the Cleveland Job Corps Center and Cornucopia Job Placement Services, highlighting current career needs, as well as Tri-C showcasing its entry-level programs allowing students to prepare for certificates in the trades.

"I'm a Cleveland Clinic nurse, so I have a lot of access to medical personnel," said Patton, whose daughter, Grace, is a Fairview High School junior. "I have doctors and nurses that will be at Career Night, but also ultrasound technologists, radiologists, speech therapists, art therapists and music therapists. These are jobs that students might not think about if they're artistic."

Since Patton took over programming Career Night, the evening has grown in stature. The first year included roughly 35 professionals and was attended by 250 students.

Helping fuel interest this year is that the high school has made the event mandatory as part of The Junior Experience at Fairview.

"The kids have to come at this and write about it as part of their career and college readiness," Patton said. "They also have to visit so many colleges. Also, there are still some seniors who may not know what they want to do, so I'm bringing the construction trades in, too.

"We have electrician apprenticeships, and Ohio Cat does on-the-job training. These are good jobs if students are still kind of waning. I want to give as many opportunities. I don't think people realize you have to go out and kind of seek some opportunities, they just don't come to the door."