More Than A Career Day At Grove Park Elementary...It's A Networking Event

Every fall, over 52,000 Atlanta Public School (APS) students start a new school year eager to see their friends and teachers. They can count on a rigorous work load and two much needed breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They can also count on having "Career Day" every year.

There are a lot of great things to brag about Atlanta Public Schools but the students need more exposure to career opportunities to make the education process relevant.  Every child may not know exactly what they want to be when they grow up but every child should have a "DREAM JOB!"

Professionals come to the school to empower students by sharing their careers every year. While I was a student at Grove Park Elementary in the early 80's, I remember a career day speaker telling the class about his career as an entrepreneur. It intrigued me so much that it became my back up plan to becoming a Major League Baseball player for the Chicago Cubs. Now I realize that entrepreneurs work hard every day so that we don't have to get a job. 

I have participated in several Career Day events and I always leave wondering if I made an impact or if the students were bored like I was sometimes as a student.  Unless we meet the students "where they are", we run the risk of having them feel that "I can't do that."  If we don't connect with them, we can't empower them.

What if the students could request the career day speakers that they wanted to hear from? What if they could read the bio of the speaker before they arrived? What if the speaker received a comment card or blog from the students afterwards that would allow him/her to know what the students learned. And what if the speakers presentation was captured in a binder so that the students and parents could have access to it when he/she leaves?

A good career day speaker is going to capture the attention of students but in order for it to truly be impactful, that presentation must remain accessible to the students.

I'm excited about this years Career Day at Grove Park because the students were surveyed and here are the careers that they want to be exposed to.

Actress

Architect

Artist

Astronaut

Author

Baker

Baseball Player

Basketball Player

Boxer

Bus/Truck Driver

Cartoonist

Cosmetologist

Dancer

Day Care Owner

Dentist

Doctor

Dog Sitter

Engineer

Entrepreneur

FBI Agent

Fashion Designer

Fireman

Football Player

Hockey Player

Landlord

Lawyer

Librarian

Mechanic

Medical Assistant

Model

Music Producer

Nail Technician

News Reporter

Nurse

Pastry Chef

Pharmacist

Police Officer

Private Investigator

Professional Cheerleader

Radio Personality

Race Car Driver

Restaurant Owner/Caterer

Senator

Soldier

Song Writer

Sports Manager/Agent

Teacher

Veterinarian

Video Game Designer

Wrestler

Prior to your arrival, the students need a short bio as well as a guideline of your presentation. Be prepared for them to have some great questions because you have the career that they requested.

When you leave, the students will discuss their notes and follow up with a comment card or blog for you. And most of all, your presentation will remain in the school for the students and parents to view for the remainder of the school year. The careers of our speakers will be on display in the Parent Center to empower the parents. There are millions of jobs that will exist in 2023 that haven't been created yet. I know for sure that my job as a professional baseball swing coach didn't exist when I was in elementary school.

Grove Park's Career Day is more than a Day. It is a networking opportunity for the students. We want the Career Day speakers to become possible employers for the Grove Park students.  This is how you transform communities.

Careers don't start when you are an adult. It starts during childhood. To have a rewarding career, you simply need something that you are passionate about, a quality education, a skill and a strong network.

I hope that you choose to join me on Friday, March 8th for Career Day at Grove Park Elementary School. For more information, contact Mrs. Ramia Cook, School Counselor at rhcook@atlanta.k12.ga.us or (404) 802-7750 office.

Grove Park Elementary School
20 Evelyn Way Northwest
Atlanta‎ GA‎ 30318

(404) 802-7750
www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/Domain/2148