Newtown Middle School Career Fair—

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

By Larissa Lytwyn

On November 12, Newtown Middle School’s annual Career Fair gave eighth graders a glimpse into the rich and varied working world.

Students interacted with a range of area professionals, from Channel 12 meteorologist Paul Piorek to hairdresser Natalie Lariviere.

In preparation for the fair, the school’s guidance department administered career aptitude tests to give students an idea of what profession might best suit their skills and interests.

Students then chose which workshops to attend; the workshops took place during the last few periods of the school day.

For the past 12 years of his 15-year career at News Channel 12, Mr Piorek has managed “Weather Kids,” a program introducing Connecticut school children to meteorology.

“This is the first time I’ve been invited to the NMS Career Fair, and I’m really excited,” he said. “It’s great to be here.”

Mr Piorek described his visit to the school’s eighth grade classrooms as “very hands-on.”

“I basically give them an introductory lesson on weather, and we do some fun activities, like producing homemade fog and snow,” he said.

Mr Piorek described the field of meteorology as, just like the weather, an ever-changing one.

“The weather, especially in Connecticut, can change abruptly and you have to be prepared for being able to track that,” he said. “Today, we have a lot of great technical equipment that can help us to do that.”

He said he was “pleased” by the NMS students’ reaction to his presentation. “They seem genuinely interested in the field, which is great,” he said.

As Mr Piorek’s observation of aspiring young meteorologists indicates, some students already have a clear vision of their potential vocational direction.

Newtown residents Ashley Bolmer and Liz Cole, a freshman and senior, respectively, at Nonnewaug Regional High School in Woodbury, both have a passion for the world of agriculture.

In addition to offering students regular academic courses, Nonnewaug offers a specialized agricultural program in a variety of fields, from veterinary sciences to mechanics.

Ashley and Liz joined Nonnewaug teacher Bill Davenport in introducing prospective Nonnewaug students to the school’s unique program.

“It almost reminds me of college, in that there is already this opportunity to take courses in something you may actually want to do for a living,” said Ashley. “It makes it very practical.”

Ashley, who is considering a career in physical therapy for animals, is a self-described animal lover.

“I have a lot of different kinds of pets, including dogs, cats and birds,” she said. “I’ve always known that I’ve loved working and being around animals.”

Liz, who would love to be either a medical researcher or chemistry professor someday, is eager to vanquish the stereotype of the ag-program “hick.”

“There are a lot of different kinds of people in the ag-program,” she said. “And it’s a lot less cliquey than it was [in middle school]. No matter what a person’s style is, they share a common interest: agriculture.”

In addition to her ag-courses, Liz is an honors student enrolled in several advanced placement classes.

Isabelle Vaz and Brendan Juglor, guidance counselors at Henry Abbott Regional Technical High School in Danbury, were also on hand to discuss application and admission procedures with students interested in a technical career.

“In addition to your regular academic courses, you can pursue your interest in a number of technologies,” said Ms Vaz to one group of more than 40 students.

Abbott Tech’s technology programs include automotive collision repair and refinishing, automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, drafting technology, electrical, electronics technology, graphics technology, hairdressing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, manufacturing technology, and plumbing and heating.

Students also had the opportunity to acquire a taste of the hotel business, courtesy of Rex Warren, a manager with Starwood Hotels.

The Starwood Hotels chain includes the W hotels, Westin, St Regis, the Luxury Collection, Sheraton, and Sheraton Four Points.

“Tourism is one of the world’s biggest industries,” Mr Warren told students. “In the United States, hotels employ more people than any other industry. It’s massive. There are a lot of different career opportunities within the industry.”

Mr Warren described hotels as “mini cities,” self-contained centers of multiple, simultaneously occurring functions.

Not surprisingly, hotels have historically been major terrorist targets.

“Particularly since September 11,” said Mr Warren, “we have worked closely with Homeland Security, as well as many other government officials and agencies.”

During the recent Republican National Convention (RNC), many delegates — as well as secret service agents — stayed in New York City’s St Regis Hotel. “The [agents] went undercover as room service waiters and other hotel workers,” said Mr Warren. “They were there a month before the RNC and two weeks afterward!”

In the past, although not during the recent RNC, President Bush has stayed at a Starwood hotel.

“Working in hotels can lead to a very exciting, very fun career,” said Mr Warren. “You can make a lot of money, too.”

He told students he aspires to own his own Starwood hotel at some point.

In all, 21 careers were represented, including aerospace engineering, the oil industry, entrepreneurship, photography, culinary arts, law, nursing, law enforcement, the armed forces, art, architecture, auto mechanics, piloting, and pottery making.