Career Exploration at Wells Middle School

When you were in middle school were you thinking about a career path? Did you research and compare different colleges? Did you look up a college curriculum? Did you interview professionals in a field you were interested in? 

 

For most people, the answer is: No. 

 

In fact, most high school students haven’t done this type of research before graduation.But some sixth and eighth graders at Wells Middle School have been actively engaged in a semester-long class to learn about themselves, explore their interests and gain insights into different careers. 

 

Teachers Kerry Weltman, Maria Angulo, Erwin Sarazin, and Karen Dakin created the course which is aligned with the District's Vision 2026 goals and made possible through a Learning Technology Grant in partnership with PNW BOCES. Sixth graders in advanced math and bilingual education math as well as eighth graders in math are participating in the course.

 

Ella Waters, who wants to be a marine biologist because she loves underwater creatures and everything about the ocean, thinks this has been a good process because when she gets to high school, “It might be harder to find and think about schools and career choices because of either packed schedules or tight time.”

 

Participants presented their findings before C.V. Starr classes–an audience chosen by the students.

 

Claudia Marcos thought she wanted to be a teacher, but after doing research, has decided she wants to go to Marist College and run a company. 

 

“I interviewed my dad, who only went to school through the third grade; he told me college can help me do whatever I want to do; I compared three colleges Iona, Pace and Marist; I think I want to go to Marist because it has business classes and a good graduation rate. Maybe someday I’ll run my dad’s tree cutting company.”

 

Annalise Delizio-Pulver and Ashley Pease did their presentation together;they both want to be teachers. They did research, created a survey and made a bar graph.

 

“We found out that there are some excellent state schools for much less money,” said Ashley.

 

“Which is good because we interviewed my grandmother, who is a teacher,” said Annalise, “We asked her if teachers make a lot of money. She said, not as much as we are worth.’”

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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