Fox Chapel Area junior Sara Duncan has the world at her feet.

With just one year until graduation, she struggles to make a choice from countless career options.

She isn't alone -- but she and peers are anticipating guidance from the Career Fest to be held at the high school on March 5.

"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I graduated until I went to the Career Fest last year," she said. "I met with someone from St. Margaret's. I did some research about careers in the health field and I am looking forward to coming back to the Career Fest this year to learn more about my future in nursing."

From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., students will get the chance to browse more than 50 vendors and talk with associates from the military, unions, trade schools and technical programs.

"We felt that students needed an opportunity to think about avenues that exist for them other than four-year colleges," said co-coordinator Lisa Giguere, gifted support teacher, who organized the previous two sessions.

"We wanted them to make more educated decisions before going off to school with an undecided major."

And, it's not just for local kids.

"Not only do our students attend, but some schools from the North Hills use it as a field trip, and, it is open to community members as well," said Giguere.

She has watched the event grow since hosting it the first time in spring 2007 with learning support teacher Stacie Dojonovic. It began with a PTSA-sponsored job fair where students could secure summer work with local businesses.

It since has successfully transformed to an event aimed more at encouraging students to think about their futures.

In half-hour segments, students can make their way through a slew of potential career paths from engineering to cosmetology.

"We'll have the sheet metal workers here and the computer programming staff from Carnegie Mellon University, to name a few. It's really a chance for kids to see how many opportunities there are that maybe they didn't even think of," Giguere said.

Students have told Giguere that the Career Fest has awakened interests and gotten many excited about a future that didn't necessarily require four years at a university.

"At first, people thought all our students are going to four-year colleges so why do they need this," Giguere said. "But the kids got so excited after the first session that it's been contagious."

Even for higher-end learners who thought it wasn't for them, Giguere said, the event has presented opportunities for internships and specialty paths in careers like engineering and nursing.

"They are learning about different programs that if they get involved now, maybe they can get their schooling paid for," she said.

"Many of the kids get summer jobs as a result of attending, too."

Sophomore Sandra Ott hopes she is one of them.

"I can't wait for the Career Fest. I really want a job this summer," she said. "It is the only way I know to find out about jobs."