Career day lets CHS junior high students explore opportunities

COSHOCTON – Find a career you can be passionate about because if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.

That was one of the pieces of advice Matt Miller gave students at Coshocton High School’s second annual career day for students in grades seven and eight. He and his wife Valerie own and operate Miller Funeral Home and were at the career day to share with students what it’s like to work at a funeral home and the education requirements of the profession.

“This lets them put a personality with a job and actually get to know someone who does what they might like to do,” Valerie said.

Matt spoke at last year’s career day and was glad to be back.

“This gives them a chance to talk to business people in the community about their career paths and find out how they got where they are,” he said. “It also lets them hear from someone other than their teacher about why what they are doing in school is important.”

The Jan. 16 career day was part of Coshocton High School’s college and career readiness plan. Prior to the event the junior high students took a career interest inventory and survey. Students then chose career pathway sessions to attend based on their individual results.

“We want to help them make career connections and show them that there are more jobs out there than being veterinarians, nurses, lawyers or teachers,” said Darcy Gordon Nelson, school counselor.

The students got to pick three 20 minute sessions to attend and school officials did their best to provide them with a wide variety of professionals from the community to hear from.

“Our goal is to help them leave here (CHS) with particular jobs in mind that they want to strive for,” said Megan Hemming, school counselor.

Nelson said they also want to help them make sure their goals meet their abilities.

“If you have trouble with math and science then you might not want to major in something like engineering,” she said.

The speakers at career day also encouraged the students to do some job shadowing or volunteer at a place they might like to work someday.

“If you are interested at all in being a veterinarian you can come volunteer at my clinic,” said Dr. Jere Butcher, during his presentation on career day. “You can walk dogs, give baths and eventually help with surgery. Volunteering is a good way to see if a career is something you’d like to do.”

josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com

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