Educating young minds at an early age about potential career options can make a huge impact on their futures.
At Sunset Avenue School, Counselors, Meredith Odum and Stacee Carr, have been doing just that. Starting at the beginning of November, Carr and Odum took the time to step into classrooms with the children and help them learn more about careers.
“Sometimes they don’t have any idea of how to become the things they’ve made up in their minds,” Carr explained.
Students have ideals of what different professions entail. Imaginations can run wild and kids can create ideas of what they think they want based off of what they learn on television.
Carr gave an example of how a student might want to become a veterinarian when they grow up. The two counselors helped the student realize all of the hard work that comes with being a vet. After all, the career isn’t just about being able to play with animals. Carr and Odum taught the students about the specifics of the job.
The young pupils learned what type of education they would have to complete before going into the field. The children also learned about what skills they would need to possess, in order to get the job and keep it. Carr noted that the child mentioned that they did not realize the depth of the job. The counselors took the time to teach the kids what a day in the life of a person with a certain career might look like.
“We make it fun,” Carr explained, “We play games, have different activities and implement technology.”
Odum and Carr show the children how to use the web to learn more about careers.
Sunset Avenue will have a Career Week starting Dec. 9 through Dec. 13. Each day between 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the students will have a “lunch and learn.”
Speakers from different career pathways will come out to the school and discuss what they do everyday and what situations they have gone through. This will be a time for students to ask different professionals any questions they may have.
According to the school, it has been proven that building an awareness for various careers at a young age cane help spark their interests and help them build a desire for a successful life.
“It will bring awareness to different careers and give our students something to move toward,” Odum stated. “We are aiming to open their eyes at an early age to help get them on the right path to achieve their dreams.”
“We want to broaden their horizons and show them what’s out there,” Carr added.
Odum mentioned that the school will have someone come speak everyday of career week.
Monday is Human Services related and the school will have firefighters from Clinton Fire Department come out to speak.
According to Chief Stephen Lovette, the station will possibly send out two firefighters on engine one. Firefighter, Gerald Lee and firefighter Joseph Dixon will talk to the students about staying in school and and their higher education options. Lee and Dixon will inform the kids what it takes to be a firefighter.
In addition, the school will have teachers talk with the students. Khrissy Smith, teacher of the year, might talk with the kids according to Odum.
Communication and Technical Services will be the focal point for Tuesday. An Information Tech Director from Clinton City Schools will have a discussion with the children on that day.
Wednesday will feature local farmers, coming to the school to talk about Agricultural services.
Business Administration will be Thursday’s topic of choice. Rev. Darue Bryant, owner of the Wall Street Barbershop, is scheduled to come talk with the students about his job and responsibilities.
Lastly, on Friday students will learn about Health Services. A fitness trainer from the Sampson Regional Wellness Center is going to talk to the students.
The students are also scheduled to dress in attire that someone in their desired career path might wear.
“It’s sure to be a week to enlighten and inspire them to go after their dreams,” Carr expressed.
The main objective for Career Week is to help the students learn as much as they can about different careers and then help them get headed in the right direction. Sunset Avenue hopes to make dreams become a reality for their students.