Career day reaches, teaches students

Richmond Hill’s Elizabeth Blackwell Middle School’s annual career day hosted an eclectic group of professionals recently to encourage and enlighten its students to some careers they can look forward to in the future.
Firefighters, police officers, a physician’s assistant and a dog trainer are just some of the professionals students had a chance to hear from. Each guest spoke in a handful of classrooms, where students also had the chance to ask the visitors questions about their jobs.
“It’s nice to reach out to kids,” said Jennifer Liantonio, a physician’s assistant at North Shore University Hospital. “I’ve been able to explain my job and tell them what I do.” She said the students were particularly interested in neurosurgery and were curious about her salary.
As important as money is however, being satisfied with your job is an even greater goal, said Dmitry Yakubov, who runs his own clothing business. “Follow your art and be successful,” was his basic message to the students.
The dress for success/career day is a required part of the New York City education curriculum, according to faculty. The idea is to “focus on education” but have students “see what is out there for them,” said Vita Blechner, the school’s library media specialist.
“It’s a ‘stay in school’ kind of agenda,” said Heather Harris, a reading coach at the school. As part of the program, teachers are given an interview packet to help prepare students for their guests, Harris said. Students are then given an assignment to write about a speaker that jumped out at them. On average, the school has had 100 career day speakers.
“Anyone who is a professional who earns an honest living” is qualified to speak, said Karlene Shadeed, assistant principal. Career day gives “students an idea of how the world works,” she said.
Tobias Everke, a freelance photojournalist from Germany, hopes that exposing students to different careers will get them to go out and get a taste of professions through internships. “The potential for what young kids can do is immense,” he said.
“As long as kids stay focused on their goals and never quit, they can accomplish great things,” said Clarence “Mugsy” Leggett, a player for the Harlem MagicMasters, an entertainment basketball team. “You may talk to 100 kids, but if you reach one or two, you did your job.”