Firefighters Clint Bell (left) and Jerry Love help Lyons Elementary School students try on firefighting gear. The Rincon Valley Fire District firefighters had one of the most popular demonstrations on campus.
Eric Creighton, 8, was excited to hear Angel Fabian explain what it’s like to be a culinary expert.
“We got to see a real chef,” he said, “He has been cooking, since he was 9.”
Creighton and about 400 other Lyons Elementary School students took part Wednesday in the school’s annual Career Day.
About 20 career paths were showcased. Students spent time studying careers and had the chance to ask questions from professionals, Principal Sheila P. Govern said.
Fred Swiderski, director of imaging services for St. Joseph’s Hospital, was one of the professionals talking about careers in health services.
“In radiology we use our math, reading and writing skills,” he said. “It’s important for (students) to see how we apply that knowledge in our everyday work.”
It’s important to have a Career Day when children are in elementary school, experts said.
“Some of the kids don’t get the connection between school and the real world,” said Elizabeth Wiley, first-grade teacher at Lyons.
She added that experiences at an early age may help minimize dropout rates.
Students may be able to resist the pressure to drop out if what they learn is “constantly connected to real-life applications,” she said.
ShaunDiin Smith, 7, seemed to make that connection when she saw the florist booth.
“I liked the florist the best,” she said. “They get to make beautiful cakes and decorate things with flowers.”
Ramon Pereida Jr., 7, was impressed by the locksmith, and Alec Thornton, 7, wants to be a scientist.
“I like the scientists, because they have a lot of brains,” Alec said. “You get to do cool stuff if you become a scientist.”
Fabian, who works at Raz restaurant, said Career Day gives students a sense of their options.
“It’s very important for kids to know that there are different careers, not career paths for just lawyers and doctors,” Fabian said.
Kindergarten teacher Brianne Gross said, “Sometimes parents don’t have the time or the experience to expose (their children) to all possibilities.”
Rick Elias of X-Ray Dental Staffing, a veteran of Career Day, said it is exciting to be with kids and answer their questions.
“Their attention is phenomenal,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to see they can be all they want to be.”
“Children are our future,” Govern, the principal, said. “And they need to see their future.”
Harpists Brittany Hart (left) and Abby Webb talk to students about careers in music . The University of Arizona students' skills have taken them to China, Korea and Mexico.
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Fields presented at the Lyons Elementary School Career Day
• X-Ray technology
• Public safety
• Veterinarian technician
• Neuroscience
• Nursing
• News reporting
• Music
• Photography
• Fire safety
• Photojournalism
• Astronomy
• Air Museum
• Aeronautical engineering
• Physics
• Floristry
• Store management
• Promotion and public relations
• Biotechnology
• Technology
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ON THE WEB
Lyons Elementary School: http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Lyons