On October 11th, 2023 the elementary held a career day for the Pre-k and First grade students. This allows students to get hands-on experience with many different careers that they could do in the future.
Angla Hollingsworth, the counselor in the elementary, is the person behind the planning of the career day. Hollingworth stated, “Career Day is important because part of my job as an elementary school counselor is to implement a counseling program that enhances student growth in career development. I will provide lessons and opportunities to help students explore their strengths and interests to help them identify career fields that align with these attributes. I want to equip and empower each student, regardless of their background, to begin exploring a variety of opportunities for their future.”
The career day gives students from Pre-K to First Grade the opportunity to meet several people from different careers. They were also encouraged to dress up as the career they were interested in.
Students got to meet many different people who worked in many different professions. Hollingsworth elaborated, “We will have these professionals joining us for Career Day this year: Paleontologist, Conservation Agent, Policemen, Veterinarian, Firemen, Tree Trimmer, Medical Doctor, and the Supervisor for Signs and Markings for Springfield Public Works [who happens to be Dr. Hollan’s husband, Chris Hollan].”
The career day can be very beneficial for opening kids up to thinking about what they want to do in the future. Toni Robertson, a preschool teacher in the elementary, stated, “I feel it impacts students in an effective way by giving them a connection of what they may want to learn more about for their future careers.”
Robertson continued, “Students learn the meaning and importance of community helpers and it gives them the opportunity to find their interests over what they may want to do when they get older.”
Career day allows students to experience many different careers and open them up to thinking about their future. Hollingsworth and the rest of the elementary plan to continue this activity into the coming years.
