The annual Emerson J. Dillon Middle School Career Day provided students with opportunities to consider educational pathways needed to reach their desired careers.
About 30 professionals with careers in theater, architecture, cosmetology, dancing, radio, and firefighting, among other genres, spoke to students about how hard work and dedication is needed to be successful. All studentsin grades five through eight participated in three 40-minute breakout sessions.
Ann Pellegrino, pastry chef and owner of Gingersnap Cake Bakery in downtown Phoenix, encouraged students who are interested in culinary careers to pay attention in math so they can learn conversions of ingredients, in science so they understand what makes ingredients bind together, and English so they can read recipes and write to clients.
One student told Pellegrino a successful career will help him and other people make money to support themselves. Connecting academic purpose with career goals is a way to help students to plant seeds for the eighth-grade family and consumer science unit, according to School Counselor Andrew Quirk. That helps students prepare for their high school and post-secondary academic careers.
“This is an attempt to get kids to broaden their horizons,” Quirk said.
EJD Sixth-grader Maurice Handy gives a treat to puppy Kimberly, as Guiding Eyes for
the Blind Dog Trainer Cynthia Swift engages with other students. Swift and nearly
30 other professionals were presenters at the school's recent Career Day, which aimed
to get students thinking about educational pathways for potential careers.