By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
“What do you like best about your work? What do you like least?”
Those were among many questions students asked on Feb. 18 at the 2016 Alpine Career Day at Joan MacQueen Middle School in Alpine.
Representatives from businesses, colleges and agencies were sometimes surprised at the interest shown by the 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
By Jo Moreland
Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce
For The Alpine Sun
“What do you like best about your work? What do you like least?”
Those were among many questions students asked on Feb. 18 at the 2016 Alpine Career Day at Joan MacQueen Middle School in Alpine.
Representatives from businesses, colleges and agencies were sometimes surprised at the interest shown by the 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
“There were kids that were actually interested in banking, which I didn’t think there would be,” said Sharon Gray, branch manager of Alpine’s California Bank & Trust. “Some of them had great questions.”
The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce worked with the Alpine Union School District to present the event to help students plan for better futures.
School authorities and faculty prepared students in advance by making a special video and a student “passport” booklet to be marked by the career day representatives, known as presenters.
As Career Day began in the school’s gym, Joan MacQueen Principal Theresa Meyerott emphasized the importance to the young people of checking out colleges, careers and employment now.
“It is rare that you have an opportunity to look at careers and jobs this early,” Meyerott advised. “Make sure you ask them questions.”
Guest speakers and presenters Alyssa Burley of Project Cornerstone and Lake Morena County Park Ranger Chris Bettancourt talked briefly about how their education in science, math and other studies were useful in their work.
Back Country Land Trust, Barons Market, Comfort Keepers, Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges, Grand Canyon University, Kamps Propane, Mercy Medical Transportation, Inc., and Mountain Health & Community Services were also presenters.
So were Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc., REACH Air Medical Services, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Sharp HealthCare, State Farm Insurance — Laurie Hallihan, The Art Institutes, U.S. Border Patrol and Wells Fargo Bank.
Students took informational materials and giveaway items and checked out a REACH helicopter and other emergency services’ vehicles. The young people also peered at live Lake Morena park snakes and made Project Cornerstone concrete stars.
“I thought it (Career Day) was pretty cool,” said seventh-grader Sara Lyle, 12. “I thought what was good was that we could come to the tables and hear about jobs close to here. And I looked at Grossmont College because I liked what they offered for the performing arts.”
