Nearly 500 high school history students are at Brock Wednesday for a taste of university life.

Organized by the Department of History, History Day is an opportunity for high school students to experience first-hand what Brock University can offer them. Students will meet in the Sean O’Sullivan hall to experience a short undergraduate history lecture, followed by an information session on history co-op opportunities.

History alumni will also be on hand to discuss how their Brock history degrees have helped their careers and to discuss the diversity of careers open to history graduates.

Students will be divided into smaller groups to participate in seminar discussions before concluding their visit to campus with a tour and lunch.

This is the third time in two years the department has hosted History Day. The event has grown from an initial 20 students participating to 477, with every high school in the Niagara District School Board being represented.

“History Day combines our interest in recruiting top-notch students into our program, and building strong relationship with the community and regional schools,” said Danny Samson, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of History. “It’s also important for us to counter the stereotype out there that history degrees can’t get people jobs. They can, and good ones that pay well and are fulfilling. Many students are choosing subjects based on a false sense of their potential. We want them to see that they can study what they love, and find fulfillment.”