May 13, 2019
By: Bll Conger
DeKalb West School hosted its annual Career Day for the middle school grades on Tuesday, May 7. Students heard a variety of speakers describe their job duties, education and experience needed for their professions, and what possibilities are in demand in their work world.
Mike Whitehead, D.C.H.S. Auto Mechanics teacher, popped the hood and spoke to students about the different careers available in mechanics. April Crockett in the Tennessee Tech Computer Science Department in the College of Engineering, filled in students about techie jobs in everything from artificial intelligence to food engineering. Dr. Jeremy Blair, Assistant Professor of Art Education at Tennessee Tech, clarified the myth that people can’t find jobs in the arts. He talked about the variety of opportunities that involve art including architecture, set design, and graphic and comic book artists. Thomas Groom, who worked for years in the Human Resources Department at Nissan Manufacturing, informed the 6th through 8th graders about public relations, communications and human resources. School Resource Officer Lewis Carrick spoke to students about the training needed for a job in law enforcement.
“I want students to be introduced to a variety of careers during their middle school years at DeKalb West School,” says School Counselor Bill Conger. “Many of them get to see jobs that are performed in DeKalb, but I want them also to have a glimpse into the many other jobs that are out there. Also, since there is a growing demand for jobs in the vocational professional, I want to make sure we have someone from that area represented every year.”
A career day for elementary aged students was held earlier in the year.