Students at Oliveira Middle School in Brownsville learned about the diverse career opportunities within Brownsville at a Career Fair held at their school.

 The event featured presentations and representatives from different sectors, including city government, law enforcement, and animal care, said Ida Rodriguez, a counselor at the middle school.

Brownsville City Manager Helen Ramirez, AICP, was one of the presenters at the Career Fair, and she talked to the students about the City of Brownsville, the number of employees the city of has, the projects the city is working on, such as the one it is working on in collaboration with the Gladys Porter Zoo, and what at a city manager does.

Others attending the Career Fair included the Brownsville Police Department, Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department, the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center, Gladys Porter Zoo, Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Brownsville Public Utilities Board, the Brownsville Independent School District Police Department and the Tooth Place.

“We included law enforcement and then other careers that maybe that hadn’t thought of like BARCC, we also invited our City of Brownsville so they could be aware of the different positions that are available within the city also and plenty of law enforcement. The students do enjoy hearing about the opportunities that are here for them and that don’t have to leave to have a good career,” Rodriguez said.

Students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences. For example, they could touch and interact with animals at Gladys Porter Zoo, including a tortoise and a snake. Additionally, they learned about the duties of a police canine that serves on campus.

Rodriguez said the Career Fair emphasized the idea that students don't necessarily have to leave Brownsville to pursue fulfilling careers. It aimed to make students aware of the career possibilities within their own community.