John S. Hobart Elementary School fifth-grade students recently participated in Career Day – a fun and educational workshop that enhances students’ educational and social skills that will help them succeed now and into the future. This event coincided with the district’s College & Career Awareness Week. Spearheaded by school counselor Tory Badamo and assistant principal Thomas Virgona, students practiced writing resumés, preparing for a job interview, maintaining eye contact during conversation and shaking another person’s hand when meeting them in preparation for their big day.
“Starting ‘Career Day’ in elementary school, I feel is extremely important especially to help motivate our children and guide them toward the endless amount of opportunities that await them,” said Mrs. Badamo. “When our students are old enough to begin looking for jobs, my hope is that they will feel a little more comfortable, a little more prepared for the process and will have the confidence to know they will succeed.”
During Career Day, students met with John S. Hobart Elementary School staff members with careers in administration, teaching, school psychology, nursing, custodial, social work and more! Students learned all about the different careers and what working in each field is like.
After meeting with staff members, students then filled out their own personal resumés. “They were incredibly thought out and students put so much effort into them,” said Mrs. Badamo. “We narrowed them down as best as we could and scheduled interviews with each student who made it to the interview round.”
After the interview process concluded, one student per career was selected to shadow the school professional. Mrs. Badamo added, “Next year we hope to make this an even bigger event and include more grade levels!”
