The Fairport-Perinton community is known for its cohesiveness, which you can find evidence of through the Fairport-Perinton Chamber of Commerce. Annually, the Village, Town, and Schools jointly present to a crowd of over 100 attendees. The Career Exploration Center, housed in the high school, is an active member of the Chamber. And, the Superintendent participates in Chamber events as well. This month, The Career Exploration Center has been named the Chamber Business of the Month.

Chamber Board member Kellie Wright, co-owner of Golden Hello Company, assists with the Business of the Month recognitions. Kellie shared, “Our Chamber’s membership Committee looks for members who participate in Chamber events and are strong role models within their industries. Then the Committee makes recommendations to the Chamber Board to recognize these businesses and organizations, to demonstrate the strength of the Chamber through its members and to give visibility to the chosen members.”

Career Exploration Center Director Sandy Hoodak told interviewer Wright about the program, "The NYS Education Department approved program has been in existence for over three decades. This program allows students to earn credit for internship experiences and as well as their part-time jobs."  Hoodak has been a part of the Center for a decade. Approximately 100 students each year are placed in Internships and job shadowing experiences. To earn credit, the students, starting at age 14 may work between four- and twenty-eight hours a week.  Students seek out placement within businesses and organizations which align with their academic and career interests. Hoodak stated, “Sometimes students find that what they thought they were interested in doing, is not so interesting. This saves big college dollars!”

Hoodak keeps connected with the Fairport-Perinton professional community through her involvement in the Fairport-Perinton Chamber, the Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (FAME) Pipeline Committee, and various associations that provide career exploration events for teens.

Businesses and organizations interested in hosting students can contact Hoodak at 421-2111, extension 22441 or by emailing her at sHoodak@Fairport.org.