Hallett students get a peek at potential careers

Recreation, special education and farming were just a few of the job paths Hallett Elementary School fourth- and fifth-graders got to glimpse during the school's first career fair event, June 1.

Counselor Tami Earthman explained the idea of holding a career fair at school was to give the students an opportunity to meet professionals from different career fields. Earthman's hope was that students would leave the fair with an idea of a career they want to pursue, and would begin making plans for their future.

At the fair, students met with a plethora of employees from different fields, including medical - a dentist and a visionary technician - television - a producer for North by Northwest - and law - and attorney. Many professionals at the fair are from or work in the West Plains, including Andy Gardner, Airway Heights parks and recreation supervisor. A couple of presenters were involved with the school district, such as Rod Von Lehe, a farmer and the school board president, and Kerry Dorcheus, braillist for the district who works with blind students.

Many professionals shared the details of their profession with students and the journey it took to get there and others presented some of the tools they used in their field.

Dorcheus showed students the muffin tin and tennis balls she uses to help teach braille to toddlers and beginning readers.

"You guys are going to brighten some people's lives if you're going to be a braillist," Dorcheus said. "But you've got to want to do it. It's really an awesome profession."

Students also received some advice about on getting a job in their desired career field - such as creating a cover letter and resume when applying, dressing up for an interview and gaining experience after college. Kara Rowe, producer for North by Northwest productions, said her career in film started small and she had to work her way up.

"You're going to live really cheap at first and you'll be eating a lot of top ramen," she added.

The Medical Lake High School Circuit Breakers robotics team gave a demonstration in the school's multipurpose room where they explained how the robot's shooting mechanism worked and allowed students to drive it.

Fifth-graders Shayley Taylor and Lindsay Kuster both enjoyed the fair, Dorcheus' presentation.

"It was really fun and it grew my interest in wanting to be a braillist," Kuster said. "I was not that interested in it before."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].