Students at the High School at Moorpark College put their senior projects on display March 4 at an exhibit that showcased what each upperclassman had learned about an occupation of their choice.

Clarra Guerra of Thousand Oaks plans to pursue a career in government. She job-shadowed local politicians and volunteered at the Ventura County Republican Party headquarters to complete the multifaceted assignment required for graduation.

Her display included political facts and photos of local representatives, along with a large stand-alone cardboard image of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. "It doesn't really matter how much government education you have, on-hand experience in any field can get you farther than anything else," Guerra said.

Oak Park resident Morgan Townley researched her intended career: forensic pathology. "I've been wanting to go into the medical field for a long time, but also wanted to go into criminal justice to help bring closure for people and put wrongdoers in jail," she said.

Most other seniors studied familiar professions, such as law, engineering and work in the entertainment industry, but a few, like Sasha Jayewardene, explored more unusual careers to learn about something different.

The Moorpark resident, who plans to become a medical doctor, job-shadowed the deckhand of the Aloha Spirit, a charter boat based in Oxnard, to examine the fishing industry. "I didn't want to do a project about my real career because I wanted to do something exciting and fun," Jayewardene said.

About 50 students exchanged ideas with visitors and peers while teachers graded their work

A panel of community leaders, business owners and educators will judge final classroom presentations on March 31. Volunteers interested in serving on one of the panels are invited to contact the school, said counselor Pat Birckhead.

The High School at Moorpark College program caters to motivated and independent students. It attracts juniors and seniors who seek to complete high school in a different setting, Birckhead said.

"One of the big benefits of the program is that most students have a year of college done tuitionfree by the time they graduate from high school," she said.

Students who attend the program don't seem to have regrets about switching schools.

"It's a great place. I like school a lot more than I did before," said Nastassia Posner, who previously attended Agoura High.

Posner's senior project took a look at the entertainment industry. It's hard to get into through traditional job avenues, she said, noting that most people who are successful in the field seem to "fall into it."

The High School at Moorpark College is accepting applications for fall 2009 enrollment.

For more information about the school or to volunteer on a judge panel, call Birckhead at (805) 378-1444 or e-mail pbirckhead@mrpk.org.