Career Day Fun at Woodhull School
April 27, 2023
Career Day returned to Woodhull Intermediate School for the first time in four years and more than 400 fourth, fifth and sixth graders had fun exploring dozens of possible future opportunities.
Woodhull’s Career Day is designed to give students an up-close look at different career paths and seek to connect their learning to the real world. Community members visit classrooms to share insights about their respective career and details about the education and training needed for career success. Students get an opportunity to listen to presenters, ask questions and consider what careers pique their interest.
“Elementary school is a crucial time to begin exposing students to careers,” Woodhull Principal Stephanie Campbell said. “It helps students understand the importance of working hard in school and how their skills and interests can translate into potential careers in the future.”
Woodull hosted about 50 presenters and even had a DJ on hand. Presenters represented a variety of professions from photographers, actors and singers to firefighters and law enforcement officers, lawyers and judges, construction workers, landscape architects, business owners, graphic designers and dozens of others.
“Career Day gave students an opportunity to learn from someone other than their teachers,” Ms. Campbell said. “The diverse group of presenters and the professions they represented allowed students to imagine themselves in the future.”
Volunteers consisted of local community professionals and family members of Woodhull students and staff. Students were given a Google form to indicate their interests and career choices ahead of time and then were assigned four presentations based on these interests. The youngsters traveled with a notes packet that contained question prompts to help facilitate conversations with the presenters.
“This was by far my favorite day since joining the Woodhull family,” Ms. Campbell. “Our whole school community was buzzing with excitement.”
Presenters shared a brief overview of their profession, the reason they chose the career path and any training or schooling required. Many presenters brought props or engaged students in role-play scenarios.
“This was by far my favorite day since joining the Woodhull family,” Ms. Campbell said. “Our whole school community was buzzing with excitement.”
“Career Spirit Week” led up to the big event on Friday. “It was amazing to see all the smiling faces in the hallway,” Vincenza Caruso said. “All the students were eager and excited to see what career choice they would be learning about next,” teacher Vincenza Caruso said. “The buzz around the hallways consisted of ‘This is the best day ever!’… ‘That was so cool!’ And even ‘Thank you for putting this day together for us.’”
Students were full of opinions on the day and weren’t bashful about sharing them with the presenters and anyone else willing to listen:
• Kenya Benitez: “You inspired me to follow my dreams and never give up.”
• Litzy Chavez: “I was able to get information about a career I hope to work in the future. Your presentation was filled with vital information for my future career.”
• Diego Ortiz Moreira: “Thank you for showing me your projects and skills. I will remember that contractors have to do math.”
• Keira Lynch: “I loved your advice because I was thinking about being a lawyer, and you helped me understand law much more.”
• Juliet Grijalva: “I’m glad you took time out of your day to teach us about what it is to be an EMT. My favorite part of your presentation was when you told us the challenges you had to overcome.”
• Londyn Sebea: “I rate your presentation 10 out of 10 because we got live action singing from you.”
• Jordan Thornell: “I love math, and you made me love it more.”
• Grace Gonzalez: “You really inspired me when you said, ‘Don’t listen to the people who say you can’t.’”
Teachers were equally effusive in their praise of the day. Here is a sampling of views:
• Keith Meyers: “What a great day! Our entire school experienced a Career Day together. I loved seeing fourth, fifth and sixth graders at the same presentation. This is the perfect age to be exposed to all career options out there”.
• Karen Swanson: “It was great to see Career Day return to Woodhull inspiring our young minds.”
• Elaine Leon: “It was wonderful seeing students engaged and learning about possible career choices.”
Planning is already underway for next year’s Career Day at Woodhull.
