Starting their career paths early

Eighth-graders have a few years left before they will be entering the working world. They got a head start on May 14, when Seaford Middle School held its annual Career Day.

Professionals representing a variety of fields were on hand to meet with the eighth-grade students in a round-table setting. Each student was able to explore three career possibilities.

“They’re heading into high school,” said Carin Hoy, an English teacher, who organized the event for the third consecutive year. “This is the time they want to focus on courses that will get them ready for careers.”

Those on hand included police officers, firefighters, bankers, librarians, writers, chefs, lawyers, veterinarians and more. Many of the professionals on hand were parents and other residents of the Seaford community.

“It’s clear that they’re passionate about what they do,” Hoy said, “and they truly want to give the kids their best advice.”

That included Bill Scheffler, whose daughter, Stephanie, is in eighth grade. He is a police officer with the 114th precinct in New York City, and this was his third year speaking at career day. He discussed both the benefits and dangers of becoming a police officer.

“I enjoy talking to the boys and girls,” he said, “trying to give them some insight into a career path that I find rewarding.”

He said he was asked many questions, including how to become a police officer, the type of equipment he uses, and the scariest thing that has happened to him on the job.

Kristijan Barnjak explored careers in writing and publishing, performing arts and entertainment, and engineering. “I’m very interested in all three,” he said, “and I think they’re all careers I would consider.”

Barnjak said he asked questions about job responsibilities and working conditions. He said he learned a lot from the experience.

“You don’t really get to meet people like these a lot,” he said. “If you never hear from them, you never know what it’s like.”

Lauren King heard from professionals in performing arts and entertainment, engineering and health care. Describing herself as math and science oriented, she said she is leaning toward a career in engineering.

“In high school,” she said, “you do need to prepare for a lot of things, do a lot of activities that will help you.”

Like Barnjak, King said she found Career Day to be a worthwhile experience, and learned what colleges are highly regarded in each field.

Hoy said she encouraged the students to be open-minded about prospective careers, and wanted to bring that knowledge to them. They’re with their teachers five days a week, she said, so it is important for them to hear from others.

“I bring the world in here for them,” she said. “These are real people in the real world.”