Hosting the 3rd annual Career Day
Career Day was once again a success for WJPS, with twice as more professionals contributing this year to engage students with their career. Officers Ericson, Sandi Chen, and James Farah from the K9 Unit brought their police force dog as a special addition to their visit. Students and staff adored their dog, and most importantly being educated about the police officer/K9 Unit profession. Picture by Leanna Tabora.
by Leanna Tabora, staff reporter
Once again the school strives for students to live successfully with their choice of career. By exposing students to various careers, it is a chance for students to be inspired and fascinated with them.
By hosting their 3rd annual Career Day on December 3rd, the school was once again able to show students many different kinds of careers. Parents and friends of students along with volunteers, were able to share their experience with their career to the school.
Professionals were welcomed by Student Government and Ambassadors, teacher and Student Government and Ambassadors advisor Mr.Nisonoff, principal Mrs.Schneider, and assistant principal Mrs.Poulos with a small breakfast from 8:15-9:00 AM. Professionals introduced themselves, what their career is, and what brought them to speak about their career at the school.
“[What brought me here is that] I have a daughter here, in the seventh grade, her name is Jazmin Rodriguez. Last year brought me here, when Mrs.Poulos asked me. I wasn’t aware of this but she asked me to contribute. I enjoy and love that you can give students information about what you love to do,” actor Carlos Rodriguez said.
Throughout the day until approximately 10:25, professionals were provided with 15 minute time intervals to speak to students about their career and have Q&As with the students. Each were escorted from classroom to classroom by student government and ambassadors.
“It was fun. It may have been a little confusing at times, but it was fun watching each guest and learn a lot about different careers,” seventh grader Charlie Lomonaco said.
There were various different careers that the school was fortunate to have from many different areas to visit and engage with students about their job. From a dynamic journalist, to a medical examiner and a Whitestone contracter, students enjoyed the careers they were privileged with for the day to learn about.
A common favorite among the guests were police officers Ericson, Sandi Chen, and James Farah from the K9 Unit, whose special addition to their visit was a police dog.
“Originally when I graduated, I wanted to be a vet. After seeing Officer Ericson and the K9 Unit, I want to work with the police force. My father is a police officer, and I want to follow his footsteps. The K9 Unit really opened my eyes up to being that,” senior Gabby Sanchez said.
For the most part, students enjoyed being educated on various careers that they might be involved with someday. After all, there will come a time where they will have to decide, and Career Day provides them with many occupations they can consider for when that time comes. It wasn’t just a success for students, but for the guests that contributed.
“It was fantastic. It’s awesome that you can talk to and explain what you love to do and what your job is like. Everyone was really engaged and it was wonderful,” graphic designer Ted Kotasftis said.