Is Middle School Too Early to Think about Careers?
The first annual Middle School Career Exploration Fair, jointly sponsored by MERIC and the Office of Administration's (OA) Office of Supplier & Workforce Diversity, was held April 29 at the Thomas Jefferson Middle School from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The fair featured:
- Marty Romitti, Director of MERIC
- Donna M. White, Director of OA's Office of Supplier & Workforce Diversity
- Kathy Jeffries, Coordinator of Dental Assisting, Nichols Career Center, on how to become an outstanding dental assistant
- Charles Stone, founder of Stone Realty, on selling real estate
- Gary Wilbers, president of Mid-America Wire, on the joy -- and money! -- in sales
- Marcia Burton, on the importance of teaching and teachers
- Rick Stokes, on becoming an electrician
- Officer Randall Hanlin, on police work
- Sherrie Walter and Mark Zaner, on computers
- Career games and activities, such as career match and career walk
- On-line skills and personal preference assessments.
Says Director White, "I was encouraged by the range of activities and parents' and kids' enthusiasm as this event unfolded. Everyone seemed to come away with a key to their future - it was gratifying to watch, and bodes well for the future of Missouri's workforce."
