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| Brian McCarthy with daughter Natalie McCarthy |
“Career Quest” gives fifth-grade AIG students at Meadowlark
Elementary School an opportunity to learn about various career options and to give
back to the community. During this weekly guest speaker series, students are
introduced to many job opportunities. What began in 2014 as a way to involve
parents in the classrooms, has evolved into students learning ways one can earn
a living and contribute to the community.
Fifth grade is a year many parents feel classroom volunteer
opportunities are sparse. In an attempt to involve parents, Mrs. (Cynthia) Mills
and Mrs. (Suzanne) Sarfert decided to invite parents into the classroom to
share their career choice and career journey. It was also an opportunity to
show students the connection between fifth-grade curriculum goals/objectives
and real-world application. Parents participating in the Career Quest were
asked to: give an explanation of their career; share required
schooling/certifications required for the career; speak about interests and
extracurricular activities as a child that may have influenced a career choice;
and finally make a connection between fifth-grade academic subject areas and
responsibilities in the career.
To kick off Career Quest, Dr. Mary Hil Edens, a dentist and Mount
Tabor High School graduate, was invited to share her career. Dr. Edens spoke to
the students about the dental field, her schooling, her love for all things Tar
Heel and threw in some advice about dental health. Students were very
interested in what Dr. Edens had to share. Excellent questions were raised and
students were completely engaged. Students went home sharing the Career Quest
experience with enthusiasm. At first, parents were hesitant about speaking in
front of 42 fifth-grade students. The students’ positive reaction encouraged
parents to participate. Soon every Friday was booked with a Career Quest
participant. Students look forward to Career Quest day and parents enjoy
sharing their experiences.
Over the past two years, students have been exposed to
careers in the areas of: education, communications, marketing, ministry, police
enforcement, banking, human resources, risk management, medicine,
manufacturing, information technology, athletic training, psychology, and much
more. When parents are not available, Mrs. Sarfert reaches out to friends to
fill in vacant slots.
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| Tim Blankenbaker with son Jack Blankenbaker |
An added bonus is when the Career Quest guest is a graduate
of the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. Rob Lemons, a Reynolds High
School graduate and Director of Volunteer Services at the Ronald McDonald House
of Winston Salem, shared his experiences in elementary school through college.
Emily Browder, a Mount Tabor High School graduate and Senior Manager, Corporate
Affairs, Global Innovative Pharma Communications at Pfizer, shared her
experiences in high school and how her extracurricular activities helped to
shaped her career choice. Some speakers, such as Ms. Browder, Jeff Tomaszewski,
General Manager at Sonoco and Tim Blankenbaker, Director of Marketing, Hanes
Brands, Inc., bring in swag to share with the students such as specially
designed corrugated cardboard pencil containers, pencils, lip balm and gum.
Career Quest also gives students an opportunity to make a
difference in the community. When Katie
Paterson, a Mount Tabor High School graduate and Lieutenant in the Operations
Support Division of the Winston-Salem Police Department shared her career with
students, she was surprised to receive “snack bags” to share with her fellow
officers as a “thank you” for their hard work and dedication. After The Rev. Tim Rice of St. Timothy’s
Episcopal Church shared his career, students put together “lunch bags” for the
women who stay at the Winston Salem Overflow Shelters through City with
Dwellings at St. Timothy’s Church.
Following Mr. Lemons Career Quest presentation, students presented him
toys to be used in the Santa Shop of the Ronald McDonald House for guests of
the house to use during the holiday season.
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| Laniel Crawford |
An added bonus of Career Quest is hearing common themes from
speakers. Things such as: do something
you enjoy; learning never stops; it is important to collaborate with teammates;
communication is of upmost importance; deadlines are finite; reading for
meaning is important; and being involved in the community resonate with
the fifth graders. Being able to give meaning to why it is
important to turn in school work in a timely fashion, to later in life it will
affect your job and income has an impact on students. Career Quest has given students an authentic
reasoning behind teamwork, reading comprehension, learning fractions, and much
more.
For students who have never thought about a career, or the
many choices available, Career Quest is an opportunity for them to learn about differing
careers. Participants encourage students to follow their passions and
interests. They also encourage students to try all sorts of activities. Speakers
talk about their career path journey. Some share they knew exactly what they
wanted to do when they were in middle school. Other speakers share how it took them
a while to discover exactly what they wanted to do or be. Hearing adults’ struggle
with career choices makes students feel less anxious about not knowing what
they want to do as an adult.
Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Sarfert hope Career Quest peaks someone’s
interest in a possible career choice.
They also hope Career Quest gives authentic reasoning for working and
learning diligently in the fifth grade, as well as helping students realize the
importance of making a difference in the community through volunteer actions.
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