SHS Students Share Career Exploration Experiences with Eighth Graders
Skaneateles High School students became mentors and advisors for eighth graders this week when they shared some of their career exploration experiences in Colleen O’Hara’s Family and Consumer Science (F.A.C.S.) classes.
Eighth graders had just finished a unit about careers when O’Hara had the high schoolers speak. She asked the older students to remember back to what career they researched in eighth grade, and to talk about how their ideas have changed (or not changed) since then.
The high schoolers urged eighth graders to explore in any way possible while in high school, by job shadowing, talking with adults in various careers, attending camps and programs, and stopping by the counseling center to hear career speakers.
“Take as many job shadowing experiences as you can, so you don’t go to college for something you don’t like,” said senior Joey Brillo. In 8th grade, Brillo researched being an orthodontist, which no longer interests him, he said. He plans to pursue engineering after shadowing several engineers.
Senior Natalie Condon said that her interests led her to research physical therapy in 8th grade. She went on to volunteer in hospitals and realized she did not want a career in health care. She shadowed in the field of business and finance before finding her passion in environmental engineering.
Senior James Leubner said he has a duel interest in teaching and in mechanics. He shadowed a teacher and took classes in diesel mechanics while out west over the summer. He is interested in having a trade as well as possibly pursuing teaching as a career. “I am a history junkie,” he said. His one big mistake, he said, was failing to look into BOCES. “Look into it, and see if there is a BOCES program that fits your interests. If you get that kind of training, you are a step ahead of the next person.”
Students told eighth graders it is important not to dismiss BOCES based on a false impression, because it offers many great programs not available elsewhere.
Senior Sierra Sander said her eighth grade survey suggested careers in health care, which she has been pursuing ever since. She has shadowed many times and plans to become a physician assistant.
Freshman Anna Major has already started on the career exploration path. She told eighth graders about an experience at Upstate Medical University where she shadowed a surgeon.
Senior Zoe Osborne told how her interest in fashion and fashion merchandising led to shadowing experiences in local shops, and then to a job. She plans to major in one of several areas in the fashion field.
Gigi Michel and Lori Ruhlman from the high school Job Shadowing Program told eighth graders to explore whenever possible, whether through the school or on their own. They encouraged students to stop into the counseling center often while in high school to see about opportunities, to check the website, and to listen to announcements.
One upcoming opportunity for eighth and ninth graders is a MASH camp at Upstate’s Community Hospital over February break, they said. Flyers are available in the MS and HS counseling offices.
High School speakers included James Leubner, Sierra Sander, Joey Brillo, Natalie Condon, Luke Rathgeb, Anna Major, Adrianna Marshall, Zoe Osborne and Shay McCarthy.
O’Hara and the high school reps joined forces in an attempt to help further link the middle school and high school career exploration programs. They told students about the Naviance Program they will begin using next year to track their career interests and their eventual college searches.
