Career Partnership Day

The Greater Bethesda Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington and the B-CC High School recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of this unique partnership of business and education. A cocktail reception was held Wednesday, September 12 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda.

Twenty years ago, Career Partnership Day was founded by Cynthia Clark, the business coordinator for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. It was her tireless passion and dedication to helping young people discover their career dreams that lead her, along with Jim Nelson and David Dabney, to initiate this program that has given the opportunity for so many students to learn first-hand what it will take to pursue their careers. Ms. Clarke lost her battle against cancer at the young age of 51 and each year the program is dedicated in her honor with the Cynthia Clark Builders Award being given to a business or organization who has shown a dedicated commitment and enthusiastic participation in the program. Past recipients have included the Calvert Group, the 2nd District Police, Bethesda Urban Partnership and Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion.

“We are so pleased at this opportunity to bring together the true partners that make this event possible each year to meet and network with each other” said Andy Stern, Chair, B-CC Chamber of Commerce (Andy Stern’s Office Furniture). “The Career Partnership Day program helps students prepare for their future by revealing new careers and giving the opportunity to see first-hand the connection between learning and earning, answering the age-old question, “Why do I have to learn this?”

This anniversary celebration was attended by Past Business Hosts, Boards of Directors of The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, Imagination Stage, The Advisory Board of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, B-CC High School Educators and State and County Officials and Dignitaries.

By encouraging students to imagine self-directed futures and providing role models from a wide variety of professions Junior Achievement allows students to take the rudder on their personal journey, enabling them to find success on their own terms.

The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to build an environment that encourages business to grow and prosper within a thriving Bethesda-Chevy Chase community. With more than 600 members, the Chamber provides proactive leadership on legislative and economic development issues, business leads and referrals, networking opportunities, educational programs, and an improved business climate for all businesses large and small.

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