Kutztown Middle School students explored different career options during Career Day on May 20.
“I hope they get excited about something that sparked their interest today, that they may be curious about and want to find out more about,” said Hallie Schumacher, school counselor at KMS who coordinated the event. “At this time in a child’s life, it’s all about exploration and it’s all about finding something that they like that they maybe could turn into something that they could actually do as a career.”
KMS hosts Career Day every three years so that all students have an opportunity to participate, she said.
“The purpose of today is to give our kids the opportunity to explore interests,” said Schumacher.
The sixth to eighth grade students, ranging in age from 11 to 14, attended a presentation by keynote speaker Ashley Russo of Peak TV and then attended three different sessions based on their fields of interest.
“They can rotate through three different sessions and hear from six different presenters,” Schumacher said.
More than 40 presenters participated this year, talking about what they do and sharing how they entered their fields. Occupations included social services, law enforcement, attorney, detective, journalism, nursing and home care, medical, dental, engineering, funeral services, agriculture, trades, arts, music, business, education and government.
“I think it gives our students an idea of what’s out there and gives them an idea of what to plan for,” said Kutztown Middle School Principal Jim Brown. “Too many middle school kids have no idea what they want to do with their rest of their lives.”
Brown said Career Day also shows students that there are so many different jobs out there that they don’t have to do the same thing for the rest of their life. “They can change and I think that’s important for them to know as well.”
His favorite part of the day was interacting with all of the presenters, which he said is fun. “I got bit by a police dog three times,” he said, with a smile. “I put on the full suit, that was entertaining, that was exciting.”
Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green said she has been a presenter at Career Day for many years.
“It’s really good to talk to the students about being the mayor of this town,” said Green.
Green wears many hats so she also talked about her other job as a travel agent for Berkleigh Travel, Kutztown, and also her part-time job at Sorrelli in Kutztown.
“It’s all about home town and being passionate about this town and sharing that with them and what it is like to be the mayor of a small, community such as Kutztown, a University town as well,” said Green.
She hopes students learn that whatever career they chose it’s best to really reach for a goal.
“I’m the first woman mayor of Kutztown,” said Green. “I found it was necessary to really help Kutztown and step up to the plate and work with my community and run for mayor. I think whatever goal that is they should just really reach for that goal and work hard to get to that goal just like I did to become mayor.”
Antiquarian bookseller Brendan Strasser, owner of Saucony Book Shop, represented small businesses for Career Day, hoping the students learn some of the advantages of owning a small business. “I’ve been doing it for 15 years so I hope to convey some that enthusiasm.”
Strasser wishes Career Day existed when he attended junior high in Kutztown. “I think it’s a neat thing. The kids are always fascinating to talk to.”
He enjoys presenting and looks forward to participating.
Accountant Sherry Christman hopes students learn the importance of being a team player and get along with others and respect everybody.
“I’m hoping to teach them that they’re going to have different bosses and work with a variety of people along the way in their career and that you just gotta do what you gotta do to get the job done and then in the end thins will pay off,” said Christman.
Jonathan Quier talked about being a funeral director at Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc. in Kutztown,
“If anything I hope they get to see what I do on a day to day basis and what I enjoy most about being a funeral director,” said Quier. “I hope as a whole that they just get an idea of what working is like and maybe if they’re undecided on what may want to do and may help guide them to what they may want to do.”
