Stacey Smaretsky teaches Riverside High School students about financial literacy and careers in finance on March 20. Tawana Roberts — The News-Herald

Students at Riverside High School in Painesville Township are getting ready for the real world.

Area professionals spoke to the economics, marketing and accounting classes about potential career options on March 19 and 20.

Unlike an average career day where students only learn about careers, the two-day speaking series taught them several lifelong lessons.

Riverside College and Career Readiness Coordinator Keith Manos, who organized the event, said it was designed to examine careers in business, learn about necessary career skills and focus on the concepts learned in class.

The speakers were recruited through the Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce and Riverside Business Advisory Committee.

The panel included entrepreneurs, insurance specialists, financial advisers and banking professionals.

While many of the students did not aspire to enter the insurance industry, they learned a lot from Bradford Boergert, owner of Boergert Wright Insurance in Painesville and independent insurance agent.

All of the students who had cars were all ears when Boergert explained how to file an automobile claim and what happens if the insurance company cancels the customer.