Palo Alto High School’s third annual career month will begin tomorrow during lunch in the Haymarket Theater and English Resource Center, according to Career Adviser Christina Owen.

“Career month is the converging of people from the community to share their career stories, how they ended up where they are, and the story behind that,” Owen said.

Owen hopes these lunchtime events will broaden students’ outlook on their future.

“We are trying to give a broad range of speakers, careers, and new ideas,” Owen said. “Even if I’m not interested in the specific subject, I might go and find out something new and [learn] about more possibilities.”

Speakers were chosen based on student interest and influence in the community, according to Owen.

“During the first year, we held a survey to find out common interests of students,” Owen said. “So we took that information [to choose the speakers]. We also invited some people in the community that are influential.”

Prior to Career Month, Paly held a Career Day, in which students of each third period class would choose a speaker through a vote in the class. With the new system, Owens thinks students will be able to go to speakers of their true interest.

“In the past, we used to have one career day,” Owen said. “Each third period class would choose one speaker through a vote in the class, and the person in my position would connect a person in that job. But only a few people in one class would come to a consensus.”

Furthermore, with an entire month to invite and host speakers, rather than just one day, students have a wider variety of opportunities.

“Students could hear from 40 different people if they went to all of the possible lunches for all four years,” Owen said. “Students would not be able to have this many people [to talk to] at once if they went around themselves.”

Additionally, Owen believes that by attending these speakers’ presentations, students may be able to open up opportunities for themselves.

“These speakers are a great opportunity,” Owen said. “Talk to them afterwards. Though nothing is guaranteed, face-to-face contact is better than a random e-mail.”

Owens encourages all students to attend the talks because everyone can learn something new from this experience.

“I keep a journal,” Owen said. “I would write in a journal and take notes at each speaker. I remember speakers saying things, little quotes, that were interesting. Enjoy it; I’ve learned from every speaker and I’m 48. We want people to show up even if you didn’t sign up. We will give out lots of pizza and seats until they are full.”