Carson City elementary school hosts Career Day for students

Students at Bordewich Bray Elementary School learned Friday they could be anything they want to be when they grow up.

For the first time in 10 years, the school held a Career Day for grades 3-5, featuring a variety of guest speakers from industries in the community.

“We hope to give them more foresight on why they’re learning about careers and why it’s important,” said fifth-grade teacher Jordan Crittenden. “When they hear about these careers and what it takes to get there, it has them thinking about the opportunities beyond 12th grade.”

Students divided into groups and rotated classrooms every 15 minutes to explore each featured career. With them, they carried worksheets to take note of key words, questions they wanted to ask, and a space to record what they’ve learned.

Some of the featured careers included dentistry, engineering, state budget, technology and geology.

However, students learned about the different opportunities in each career field, instead of just learning about how to become a dentist.

“There’s office work and accounting,” said Alisa Kuniya, parent-teacher aide. “They learn about why the person chose the field and how they got there. It gives students an impact, especially now that it’s the end of the year and tests are done.”

“It gives them a thinking opportunity,” said kindergarten teacher Nena Stucki. “It still involves learning.”

Local companies included Carson-Tahoe Family Dental Care, Governor’s Finance Office, Ormat Technologies, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

When Janet Murphy, deputy director of the Governor’s Finance Office, presented her part, students asked her if there were other career options in the field.

“It’s important to explain what public service is about,” she said. “But I make it enjoyable by informing them public works goes beyond medical and construction. The service is rewarding.”

For Chris Crookshanks of NDOW, many asked why he likes his job with native aquatics and what he does during his free time.

“Any time we can relate what we do to young minds is why we’re involved in these type of events,” he said. “It’s priceless to see enthusiasm and excitement for wildlife.”

Vice Principal Lisa Hutchison said career days are important to allow students to see opportunities at different perspectives, in order to see what’s available for their interests.

“Kids have an idea what they want to do,” she said. “But once they explore a variety of opportunities, it opens up their world and minds.”