Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home’s sixth-graders spent the afternoon Friday, Jan. 18, at Foster School learning about various career opportunities and how the school work they do today has real-world applications.
Foster Principal Luke Augsburger said 225 students participated in the Career Day, and 21 representatives of area businesses and agencies gave presentations to the students.
“It just kind of came about as part of the district’s thriving citizens goals,” Augsburger explained. “We’re just planting the seeds, hopefully.”
The idea is for sixth-graders to start thinking about their goals, he said, which will help promote their commitment to staying in school through graduation by making connections between the classroom and their futures.
“We had an introductory lesson where kids took an interest survey to identify what they’re interested in,” Augsburger said. They talked about what a career is, and in followup, the students will write papers and provide feedback about how the activity impacted them.
“It’s actually really fun,” said Colton Bennett of Oak Heights. He was particularly interested in jobs that might take him out into the mountains and forests where “you get to see all these amazing” things. Those jobs have risks, he added, but he finds them worth it.
He is most interested in working with animals, and zoology and biology are both linked to forest. He is mostly interested in becoming a veterinarian.
Colton also listened to a presentation by the military recruiter, he said, although he doesn’t think the military is for him.
He planned to stop off at the “mechatrician” presentation from Linn-Benton Community College. Mechatronics is focused on mechanical and electrical engineering, including robotics.
Oak Heights sixth-grader Jackson Barringer said he looked at the military.
Jackson said he’s in shape, and “I could drive a tank or a helicopter or something like that.”
He also was interested in mechatronics and fascinated by a wireless light bulb the presenters were demonstrating, he said. The presenters used what looked like a small bolt of lightning to light the bulb.
Jackson said he was off to listen to a police officer next.
“I’m kind of looking at the paying jobs, what pays you more,” Jackson said. “When the government shuts down, it doesn’t stop the money.”
Getting out of the class was a good change of pace.
“I’m in the classroom, it’s boring, OK,” Jackson noted. “It’s just straight-up boring. This is fun.”
Supt. Tom Yahraes said the participants may end up looking back and remember the Career Day.
“It was days like today that created memories and made impressions on me.
An event like this can make an impression and get students talking about careers before early high school, he said.
“I think it’s awesome any time kids can see how what they’re learning in class is applicable to real life applications and making their learning relevant,” said Yahraes, who was wandering the halls and gym at Foster, observing the event.
“I’m very thankful to the volunteers in our local businesses and regional organizations to share their experiences with our kids.”