Learning about career possibilities

All of Lawrence Middle School sixth, seventh and eighth grade students got a taste of 19 different occupations at the school’s career fair on March 16.

Representatives careers ranging from accounting to cosmetology presented at the fair. The children were encouraged to dress in business attire. They spent 10 minutes with one professional they were assigned with by a randomly-distributed ticket at the entrance, then 10 minutes with another to their right, and one of their choice at the final session.

Principal Willis Perry advised the children to make good choices, whether it was in finding a presentation to listen to or in life. “I told the presenters beforehand that you would have good, tough questions,” he said to the students. “You’d better stay true to that. Listen to the presenters’ stories. They have great career advice.”

Christian Defiris, spoke about his experiences as a mixed martial arts fighter and entrepreneur. Defiris owns a martial arts and fitness gym in Lynbrook. He was an All- County, All-State and Division 1 college wrestler. He is also a purple belt in Brazilian Ju Jitsu. Defiris is head coach, president and CEO of his facility and Extreme Cage Fighting Promotions, which hosts and highlights the top amateur mixed martial artists on the East Coast.

“People who are bullied or out of shape, I help them,” he told the students. “When everyone else was getting in trouble, I was focused on fitness. I used fitness to give myself structure in life. Owning a gym is different than athletics. I have responsibilities. I have employees. I have to maintain the building.”

After the presentations, the children filled out surveys about their experiences at the fair, answering questions about what they learned, what their favorite presenters were, and their own career goals and interests.

Eighth-grader Sofia Maravilla, of Cedarhurst, said she that learned it is important to enjoy everything about the career you choose. “It takes a lot of effort to go for something you really want to do,” she said. “If you really love a career and have passion for it, you will never see it as work though. It will be what you love.”

Staying on top of work and preparation was the message that Ashley Crespo, an eighth-grader from Inwood, said she was taking away form the day. “It takes hard work to do well in school, and to pursue the career you love,” she said. “What you do now as a student affects what you do in the future, so work hard and do your best.”

Perry said that this has always been a great experience for the children. “The presenters get to tell their stories of success, and the children get to learn from them,” he said. “It’s a win-win situation.”