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Speaker and Field Trip Recaps

October 2025 Career Event

A young woman with purple hair stands behind a table displaying various products and services offered by a salon and spa, with a backdrop of a building interior.
The image shows two men standing in what appears to be a workplace or office setting, with various items and equipment visible in the background.
A group of uniformed individuals, likely law enforcement officers, standing in front of a building with various signage and displays visible in the background.
The image shows a group of people gathered around a table, with one person appearing to be signing a document or form. In the background, there are several people standing and what appears to be a school or institutional setting.
The image shows a table with an %22AgeUp Advocacy in Action%22 banner, displaying various items and a person standing behind the table. In the background, there are three uniformed individuals standing next to a table with various items.
The image shows two people standing in front of a building, one wearing a camouflage jacket and the other wearing a dark t-shirt. The building has a yellow exterior and appears to be a school or educational facility.
A uniformed naval officer stands behind a table displaying various Navy-related items, while two individuals in casual attire examine the items on the table in the foreground.

Peninsula High School Career Coordinator Chris Zografos organized a mini career event on campus during lunch on October 28. Students met with representatives from local companies, college programs and apprenticeship programs, to learn about job and career opportunities available to them after graduation. 

Thank you to the following individuals who came out and spoke with our students: 

  • Representatives from Cal Fire
  • Derek Bahamondes, City of San Mateo Public Works
  • Abe Talakai, Jr., Training Director, IBEW 617 Local Electrical Workers Union and the San Mateo County Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)
  • Tom Johnson, Training Coordinator, Local 467 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union
  • Bethany Dinh, Community Engagement Director, Age Up 
  • Sixto L. Paguirigan, Recruiter in Charge, and Officer Ngo Vuong, Navy
  • Izzabelle Aguilar, Program Assistant, Skyline College Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics (BCE)

If you are interested in speaking with students at Peninsula High about your career path, please reach out to Chris at czografos@smuhsd.org.

February 7, 2025: UA Local 467 Representative Discusses Career Pathways for Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVACR Service Technicians

UA Local 467 Representative Thomas Johnson presents to students

Thank you to Thomas Johnson of UA Local 467 for coming out on February 7 to speak with our students about the various career pathways for Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVACR Service Technicians.

Students learned about his high school experience and how he became successful in his local, he also talked about various  pre-apprenticeship programs, the benefits and the typical wages of a union worker in this field.   

Collage of Navy Members and Equipment with PHS staff and students

October 11, 2024: Members of the Navy Speak With PHS Students about Various Military Careers

Thank you to Air Traffic Controller First Class Vuong Ngo; Special Operator First Class (Name redacted for security); Navy Diver First Class Zach Reiner; Navy Diver Second Class Jackson Behun; Machinist Mate Second Class Juan Moreno-Avendano; Navy Counselor First Class Brian Budd; and Aviation Electrician Chief Sixto Paguirigan for coming out to Peninsula High on October 11 and speaking to more than 25 students as a part of our Careers Exploration series organized by Chris Zografos - PHS College and Career Coordinator.  

The panelists emphasized that, "Everyone is a leader, some lead from the front, some lead from the back." He also talked about the importance of the "In the absence of leadership I will take charge" mentality. 

They also stressed, to the students, the importance of:

  • Humility 
  • Acknowledging others who have contributed to your success
  • Admitting mistakes
  • Not being scared to make mistakes - it creates room for growth. 
  • Being teachable 
  • Wanting to grow and learn
  • Wanting to be a leader