For years, North Junior High School has set aside one day a year for students to explore college and career opportunities. But this year was especially noteworthy with the variety and outpouring of community members, business owners and organizations involved. Over 50 individuals and organizations participated.
Students don’t have regular classes on College and Career Day, but instead choose which presentation they want to attend from a list of seven different options throughout the day.
It was a full house in Mayor Dave Kleis‘ session. Kleis spoke of his time in the Minnesota State Senate and how he moved into local government following his terms in state office. Students showed a genuine interest in the mayor, including questions about local St. Cloud community issues, politics and campaigning.
“You know, the best part of my job is the people,” said Mayor Kleis.
There was also no shortage of students in the auditorium listening to an army recruiter. He explained all the opportunities available in the medical field, construction, computer science, mechanics and law enforcement. Students had many questions about active duty, deployment and safety.
“We wanted to inform students of what some of their options are after school, whether it would be after high school or college, whatever they choose to do,” explains Ryan Heitland, AVID teacher at North Junior High School. “We have everybody from a judge, who has been through a lot of schooling, to someone who is just now in college and talking about their experience there.”
Students learned about teaching careers and where teaching is today and how far it has come. “Rules for Teachers” in 1872 were handed out to the class. Many chuckles were shared as the students read that teachers were to fill oil lamps, clean chimneys, bring in a bucket of water and use coal to heat their classrooms.
Judge Shan Wang spoke to students about the law, being a lawyer and judge. He dispelled the myth of wearing wigs during a trial in the United States and said gavels are more ornamental than purposeful now. Wang stressed the most important thing a judge can do is ensure due process and make sure everyone is treated fairly. He shared the average salary of a judge is $154,000 a year, stressing that lawyers often times make a lot more but do not have the flexibility of schedules that judges have. Students questioned Wang on criminal cases, length of trials and how to become a judge.
Some students learned about music therapy, a process using music to achieve non-musical goals. It helps people with chronic diseases, stress, illness, grief, depression and other issues. Other students learned about nursing, the differences between an LPN and an RN, and the opportunities to not only work at hospitals and clinics but also telephone nursing and working for insurance companies. Still, other students learned about sales from Bluestem and construction and carpentry work from North Junior High teacher, Sara Laudenbach. Graphic design and comic book illustration were other topics.
St. Cloud State University talked about scholarships, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and athletic opportunities as well as engineering. Other post-secondary schools like St. Cloud Technical Community College and Central Lakes College also attended.
Sixth-grade student, Tristan Hoel, said he wants to be an engineer when he grows up, but he’s keeping an open mind. He participated in the military presentations, teacher presentation and graphic design.
“This is such a valuable learning experience,” explains Mary Dustin, a science teacher at North. “[Students] can set some short-term goals in academics that they can achieve while still in middle school and high school, so they can achieve their long-term goals. Some students don’t know what they want to do. This gives them a little insight as to what they can do with all of their interests and hobbies.”
Whether North students already knew their long-term career goals or were undecided, North’s College and Career Day opened the door to many options and opportunities for a bright future.
Watch the video.