What do you want to be when you grow up?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the question 68 Kent professionals were trying to help students answer at the first-ever Kent-Meridian High School Career Day April 24. The full-day event allowed every student at the school to attend sessions featuring speakers from a wide variety of careers to help get them thinking a bit more about the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the most part, these kids have an idea of what they want to do, but I think this gives them a feel for the schooling and the organization it takes to get there,\u201d Principal Wade Barringer said.<\/p>\n
Barringer was inspired to organize the event, which is the first of its kind at the school, when he started as principal at the school this year. It\u2019s another part of \u201cThe New K-M,\u201d he said, this year\u2019s school theme that aims at bettering its previously rough reputation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s part of that partnership we\u2019re trying to build between the community and the kids,\u201d he said. \u201cThese people get to come and see for themselves how great our kids really are and what we do here.\u201d<\/p>\n
From an animator to a zoologist, the event hosted professionals from careers both common and unique, providing students a broad perspective on the possibilities. They also got a deeper look into careers they may have thought they had figured out.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only did we talk to them about what it takes to become a firefighter, but also all the opportunities for civilian staff and all the specialty jobs available at the department,\u201d said Tami Kapule, a public educator for the Kent Fire Department.<\/p>\n
Kapule and fellow Kent Fire members Melanie Taylor and Kimberly Behymer taught a well-attended session on the popular childhood dream job. Kapule said there are many opportunities at the department most people don\u2019t know about, such as public education, code enforcement, the investigation unit and the hazardous materials unit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is important, because these kids are our future,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I was this age, I didn\u2019t realize that this career was even available. I had to go out and find it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taylor said the broad spectrum of careers at the event was what made it so valuable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a wonderful opportunity for the kids, because you have all the well-known jobs, but you look at this program, and the possibilities are endless,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are so many different jobs out there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dean Saggau said his session on his career as a financial advisor for Edward Jones was also well-attended, and the students asked all the right questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey all want to know what your day is like and what it takes to get to where you are,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd they all want to know about income, which is important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saggau said he\u2019s lucky to have found a career that he loves, and he hopes his words will help give students a head start on finding their own niches.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to start thinking about this at this age, so I think this is getting them doing that,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to make sure you\u2019re passionate about what you do, because you\u2019re probably going to be doing it for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sophomore Balveen Purewal, 16, who wants to be a businesswoman, said the sessions were enlightening. One that she attended was taught by Barringer\u2019s wife, Michelle Barringer, who works as a fashion merchandizer.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe gave us a lot of varieties of things people that go into fashion can be,\u201d Purewal said. \u201cAnd she told us what classes we should be taking now and also in college. It helped a lot to see what we needed to do to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Superintendent Barbara Grohe was in attendance and called the career day a \u201cmajor event\u201d for Kent-Meridian.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is great that the students are getting a chance to learn about all these jobs, and it\u2019s great to see some Kent-Meridian grads back in the building,\u201d Grohe said. \u201cThat\u2019s a major contribution these professionals are making.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barringer said he plans on making the career day an annual event, and next year he hopes to add another element. In addition to hosting guest speakers, he said students will get to attend a completely different set of elective classes for a day in order to introduce them to new opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the many things we\u2019re trying to accomplish here is getting students engaged in their learning,\u201d Barringer said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to get them to find something they can really hang their hat on and get excited about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contact Daniel Mooney at 253-437-6012 or dmooney@reporternewspapers.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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