JES students learn about careers
Published 11:38 am Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Rachel Woodham's third grade class looks at some items brought by the Chilton County Sheriff's Office to Jemison Elementary School's Career Day.
Children hear the question often: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Jemison Elementary School students could have a much better idea about how to answer that question after the school’s annual Career Day.
Students in Ashley Britt's fourth grade class pet Little Bit, a dachsund belonging to Michael and Teresa Speakman. Michael Speakman is an animal control officer for Shelby and Jefferson counties and assistant director of the Bessemer Humane Society. He spoke to students about animal safety and the importance of having pets spayed and neutered.
About 70 professionals talked to classes Tuesday and Wednesday about what their fields. The presentations focused on a typical day in a particular line of work, skills needed to enther the profession and how these jobs benefit society.
Counselor Brenda Godbold, who helps organize the event, said the idea is for the students to learn more about different occupations so they can make early decisions about which ones might interest them.
“Hopefully, they will find a career that matches them,” Godbold said.”We want them to dream now and work toward that dream.”
Godbold said she thinks students that set specific goals–becoming a forensic scientist, for example–are more likely to stay in school and get the most out of their education.
Phoenix Roper said he liked the firefighter’s presentation.
“I liked how he explained the safety ladder, how all the equipment works,” Roper said.
Taylor Lane, who like Roper is in Lynn Price’s fourth grade class, said she was most interested in the presentation given by Rex Bittle of Opticsmart.
“He sells telescopes, and he knew all about how people invented the telescope,” Lane said.
JES students also saw presentations from law enforcement and agencies, clergy, personal trainer, coach, court reporter, meteorologist, farmer, dance instructor, golf professional and martial arts instructors, among others.
