Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Breckenkamp | Maj. Jonwayne Lindsey (center) tosses a pencil to a first-grade child for answering a...... read more read more
RICHMOND, Va. - “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This was a popular question asked of Southampton Elementary School children recently at Career Day. Pre-kindergarten through fifth graders learned about the many different jobs they can pursue in the Army when 80th Training Command Soldiers visited them at the all-day event here, March 31, 2017.
Southampton School counselor Ms. Victorette Ortiz said every year the school holds Career Day to educate and inspire the school children with real-life examples of what they can aspire to be.
In addition to Career Day, Southampton holds a Career Week at the start of the school year in which teachers and staff teach children about the various jobs available to them. Part of Career Week includes giving children workbooks that provide realistic and relevant information about career opportunities. They also work with fourth and fifth graders through an online program called EverFi. This website provides tools and resources that help school children with topics such as saving and managing money, leadership, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math readiness.
To get volunteers for Career Day, Ortiz reaches out to the parents of school children and to local communities. At this year’s event, about 25 volunteers visited the school kids to talk about their professions and how the kids can develop the skills and education to be in their shoes. Careers represented varied widely, including Zumba instructor, professional shopper, wellness coach, fire fighters, dentist, mounted horse police officers, and salon owner.
“Our volunteers talked to the kids about whether or not they need college for their specific jobs, because not all jobs necessarily require a four-year degree. Some professions require vocational technology schools,” said Ortiz. “They explained if they would need specialized certifications or licensures for their professions. They showed our kids the connection with what they are doing in school right now and the different types of jobs they may want to do when they’re older.”
She explained this further by using an example of conversations she commonly hears. “I heard a fifth-grader ask, ‘Why do I have to take all this math? I’ll never use this, anyway.’ In reality, if you want to design or build things, you do need to know math. If you want to be a nurse, math, among other subjects, is essential.”
At Career Day, volunteers also handed out trinkets and brochures to the kids, encouraging them to continue thinking about professions that are interesting to them. The Soldiers handed out drawstring bags with happy faces, colorful pencils, and lanyards to the kids.
To test what the kids knew about Army jobs, the Soldiers played a game. Maj. Jonwayne Lindsey challenged them with this question, “Can you name a job that is not in the Army? If you can do that, I’ll give you a prize.” The children yelled out answers such as fire fighter, postman, and animal doctor. A first grade girl yelled out, “Ballerina!” The Soldiers laughed, and Lindsey said, “That is an excellent answer. You’re right! Ballerina is NOT a job in the Army.”
Sgt. Nick Orlick had a blast spending time with kindergarten and first grade children at the event. “They are so energetic and funny,” said Orlick. “And, you know, these kids are sharp. I think they are more aware of their goals and career opportunities than we give them credit for.”
Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Johnson also had a great time talking with the children about the Army and jobs that interest them. “What they are thinking about at such a young age really surprised me,” said Johnson. “They have such a great outlook and a lot of ideas about what they want to be. I feel hopeful about our future leaders.”
According to Ortiz, the main take-away from Career Day is giving school children the opportunity to see a wide range of professions and to see that, even though they’re in elementary school now, they should start thinking about their future after high school graduation.
“I want them to think about their grades, behaviors, personalities, and what careers would be a good fit for them,” said Ortiz. “Each one of them has amazing talents and skills. We love working with our kids and seeing their incredible potential.”
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2017 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 230298 |
| Location: | RICHMOND, VA, US |
| Hometown: | ASHLAND, VA, US |
| Hometown: | CHESTERFIELD, VA, US |
| Hometown: | FLANDREAU, SD, US |
| Hometown: | FORT GREGG-ADAMS, VA, US |
| Hometown: | HANOVER, VA, US |
| Hometown: | RICHMOND, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 242 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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