Academics
Signature Programs

Career Exploration Day

Networking & Empowerment Through Career Exploration

Established in 2014 by Heather Goodbody ‘87, Mercy’s Career Exploration Day provides high school students with the opportunity to explore various careers, network, and learn directly from Mercy alumnae. In a series of small breakout sessions that allow for personal connection and meaningful conversations, Mercy alumnae share their professional journeys with students— the good, the bad, and the ugly. 

From Fortune 500 executives, surgeons, attorneys, authors, and athletes to not-for-profit administrators, educators, artists, scientists, and community organizers, our guest speakers provide practical, real world insights about where they are professionally and how they got there.

Career Day Archive

Seeing Career Day from Both Sides

An Alumna perspective in her return to Career Exploration Day

By Mary Meisenzahl ‘15

As a Mercy student, Career Day was a glimpse into a world of possibilities. I loved hearing about all the paths taken by women who had once sat in the same seats as me, but it felt impossible to ever imagine myself in their shoes. I didn’t know what I didn’t know; I had an idea how to become a doctor or a lawyer, but marketing, research, business, and a dozen other options were totally abstract to me. Nearly ten years later I found myself on the other side, back to share about my career with current students. I saw students pouring into the auditorium and recognized some of the same curiosity and uncertainty I’d felt. They asked smart, probing questions of the keynote speakers. Hearing from Mercy alumnae who are years and decades into their careers was just as inspiring as when I was a student. In the breakout session, I tried to make my talk as useful and interesting as possible. I didn’t want to be an adult talking at them.

Making Their Way in the World

A Foundation for the Future

List of 3 items.

  • Mercy Creates Career Opportunities

    • More than 90% of alumnae say they are working in the career field of their choice
    • More than 80% feel that Mercy helped develop the skills they needed to be successful in their careers
    • Nearly 90% agree or strongly agree that Mercy prepared them academically for college and life after high school

  • Mercy Develops Leaders

    • 75% of alumnae agree that Mercy helped develop their leadership skills
    • 81% say attending an all-girls school increased their confidence
    • More than 50% held a leadership role in college

  • Mercy Inspires a Commitment to Service

    • More than 75% of graduates agree or strongly agree that “Mercy instilled in me a commitment to service and community.”
    • 60% of graduates performed service activities in college
    • 57% of alumnae volunteer in their community on a regular basis, and most volunteer 50 hours a year or more.
Results based on a survey of 837 Mercy alumnae conducted in February 2020.

Interested in Becoming a Breakout Session Speaker?

High School Signature Programs

Middle School Signature Programs

Discover More
Continue Exploring...

    • Photo Collage

      Career and College Fair

    • Photo Collage

      Career Day

    • Photo Collage

      Commencement 2

Your Daughter Will Thrive at Mercy!
Begin the Journey Today.

1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610
Phone: 585-288-7120    |    Fax: 585-288-7966    |    Email: info@mercyhs.com

Stay Connected:

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a member of Mercy Education.
© 2026 Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women.