Friday, May 16, 2003
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Friday, May 16, 2003 |
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Fair showcases career possibilities The purpose of a school system is to produce responsible and productive members of society. This was the message that students at Robert J. Burch Elementary learned during their career week activities. Each year, fifth-graders at the school participate in a week-long guidance program that gives them the opportunity to think about their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes and jobs or careers that might correlate with their strengths and likes. Using a workbook called "The Career Game" and Web sites, students take part in assessments that suggest different job possibilities that correspond to their interests. The program culminates with a career fair where students can talk to professionals from various fields about the type of education and experience that is needed for a job in their area of expertise. "The true objective of the week is to foster an understanding that schools exist to produce productive members of society. A productive member of society usually has a job; having a job you really like is a good thing," said Counselor Jackie Uttley, who organized the event. This year marked the school's fourth career fair and possibly one of the best to date, according to Uttley. Burch specifically invited parents of students, spouses of the school's teachers and representatives from its business partners in education to participate. A total of 38 professionals were on hand to talk to students including a hair stylist who gave a hair-cutting demonstration, chiropractors, an auctioneer, a special agent from the Department of Homeland Security and a baseball coach. One of the most popular venues at the fair was a massive outdoor display organized by the Fulton County Police Department featuring a K-9 unit, mobile command post and police cars as well as the helicopter crew from the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. The fair was held at the First Christian Church of Tyrone.
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