As the world and technology continue to expand, figuring out “what you want to be when you grow up” can seem like a daunting task. To assist in the search for where we each may belong, Sweet Home school staff invited kids to a simple exploratory event to get the ball rolling.
Counselors from Sweet Home’s elementary schools collaborated to bring children the first annual Elementary Career Fair, held Wednesday, Nov. 20, for kids in K-6.
“It’s really just designed to be kind of a first look, first glance at what careers might be available; kind of just exposure rather than ‘please decide what you want to be,’” said Julie Harvey, Hawthorne Elementary’s counselor. “We tried to pick really kid-friendly and kid-appropriate jobs.”
Professionals at the fair included: Oregon Army National Guard, Sweet Home Fire & Ambulance District, Sweet Home Veterinary, Taylor Made (baker/cook), Sweet Home Senior & Community Center, Sweet Home Public Library, a photographer, a logger, a welder, A&W, an electrician, Holley Elementary (teacher), and ENTEK.
“I think young people – in particular, really young people – don’t even really know what’s out there,” Harvey said. “They kind of see what’s in their immediate circle, in their family and their family’s friends, and they don’t often get a lot of exposure to other things.”
Held at the Senior Center, the fair offered children an opportunity to talk to the professionals, but were encouraged along with a chance to earn a cookie by getting a stamp card filled up. District 55 Superintendent Terry Martin assisted with serving up hot dogs and water free of charge.
A handful of kids were polled to see if they already know what they want to be when they grow up. Some said they had only recently decided on their career choice, prior to the event. One of those was Florence Abercrombie, 7, who said she decided the day before that she wants to be a baker because she likes to cook. Candied pecans are her specialty.
Logan Barrett, 9, said he wants to be a photographer.
“My friend went to be a YouTuber, so I want to join him. I want to help him make stuff,” he said.
Sitting next to him was a precocious young lady, Leia Brown, 5, who straightaway said she wants to be a veterinarian.
“I’ve known for a while because I watch Dr. Pol,” she explained. “I’m going to do a lot of stuff, and I’m going to do school at their house instead of my room.”
It was determined that she meant she’ll be a traveling vet for both small and large animals.
When this reporter told Leia she still doesn’t know what she wants to be, Leia replied, “Then just think what you want to be.”
Still others haven’t decided on a career yet. Among them was Nate Bransom, 8. When asked if he’d rather have a job that helps people or a job that makes a lot of money, he said, “help people.” Pressed a little further as to whether he wants to save lives, make people happier, or help peoples’ animals, Nate responded, “Pretty much all the things. I just want them to be nice and happy.”
To make the career fair a little more exciting, the schools invited children to spend the day dressed up in their favorite career. Irie Smith, 7, was still in her costume, so to speak, when she made it to the fair. Wearing a nurse’s uniform – nicely worn “scrubs” fit just for her – Irie approached Brent Smith’s table and shook his hand. Smith is an equipment operator/logger. Still, after meeting different people, Irie said she still wants to be a nurse.
The professionals each brought a little something to show kids what’s involved in their job position. Some offered props – such as photographs, uniforms, and equipment – while others offered baked treats, games for prizes, and SWAG. One of the more shocking props on display came from a veterinarian who had jars of the different stages of a cat fetus. Some adults were a little weirded out about it, but the kids didn’t seem disturbed. Aspen Elia, 7, said she thought it was “cool.”
“I learned how a cat starts out,” Irie said of the experience.
Harvey explained there’s a state mandate for schools to provide more career education for K-12, so this particular career fair was an opportunity to hit that target while also doing something that brings Sweet Home’s elementary schools together.
“The elementary counselors have been working for several years now to do more collaborative things and more things that kind of bring our schools together instead of separate our schools,” she said.