Students at S.S. Dixon Primary School learned about the different job opportunities during their school’s annual career fair.
“This is to get (students) to think about what they want to do when they grow up,” said event organizer Stacey Lowe, the school’s guidance counselor. “You need to do something that you love, because if you go to work and you hate what you are doing, then you are not going to be motivated.”
Lowe invited professionals from various career fields including a local beekeeper, first responders and a dog trainer among others to participate in the all day event on Tuesday.
In addition to bringing an ambulance to the school, Lifeguard Ambulance Service landed their new Lifeguard1 medical helicopter at the school’s recreational field.
Tyler Bennett, a member of the Lifeguard flight crew, said it was the first time he attended the school’s career fair. While many of the younger children were impressed with the helicopter, several of the older students asked about the profession.
“It was mainly ‘what do you guys do’ and ‘what do you guys do when (people) are really sick,’ Bennett said.
Bennett said he enjoys his job.
“I was always fascinated with airplanes, helicopters and fire trucks as a kid,” he said. “This (profession) is kind of the pinnacle for paramedics and nurses.”
While working aboard a helicopter is exciting, some of the children were enamored with the professionals who work with animals. Children met with Pet Smart dog trainer Charlie Patton and his service dog named ‘Kayak.’ Representatives from the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment brought a snake and owl to show the children.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Students get early exposure to possible careers with career fair