MEXICO — Nearly 250 sophomores from Bethel, Dixfield and Rumford high school listened Thursday to workers at the annual Career Day at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology.

Leslie Welch Molzahn, a 1995 graduate of Dirigo High School in Dixfield, spoke through Skype from her Maryland office about her work as an aerospace engineer.

“When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be an engineer. I had some fantastic teachers who encouraged me,” she said. “I love what I do. I know I make a difference.”

Dr. William Keyes, an optometrist from Mountain View Eyecare in Rumford and Bethel, encouraged students to take the harder courses if they want to get into the sciences, and to get help so they can do well.

“College is costly. It’s important to know what you want to do,” he said.

Students signed up for three, 45-minute sessions.

Some, such as Michelle Hale of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, took a slightly nontraditional route during her career sessions.

She attended an automotive presentation made by former Region 9 student David Adley and Bennett’s Auto Repair owner Dwayne Bennett of Bethel.

“I have a dirt bike and I like building,” she said.

Sophomores Liam Gallagher and Sequiera Lavendar of Telstar Regional High School on Bethel were among those attending workshops on law and professional careers.

Andrea Nadeau of Mexico High School Class of 1984 spoke about her work as deputy director of the Maine Renewable Energy Association, and Peter Kaynor, a Rumford attorney, gave the ins and outs of pursuing a law career.

Liam said he had also attended sessions on business and marketing, and multimedia.

“I have a lot of different interests,” he said. “This has been helpful to explore them.”

Sequiera had attended sessions in social service and medicine. She wants to become a forensic scientist.

“This has been really interesting to see other jobs,” she said.

Nearly three dozen careers were represented, Region 9 student services coordinator Cheryl Ellis said.

Other presentations were on education, the military, architecture, fire science, law enforcement, computer technology, real estate and forestry.

The event kicked off with a keynote speech by Maine College Circle’s Bob Stewart who encourages students to start thinking about college and careers at early ages.

Throughout the sessions, Region 9 director Brenda Gammon passed out surveys asking students the types of additional programs they would like to see offered at the school.

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