M’CHIGEENG—Next Wednesday, May 25, the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) student body will be taking part in a career day at the school, specially catered to the wants of the students.
Sue Whynott, cooperative education teacher at MSS, explained that at the end of February she polled the students and, based on those surveys, chose 32 careers that were most prevalent in the students’ answers. Ms. Whynott also went with as many alumni as she could, citing Cassie Esposto, pharmacist, and Janelle Proulx, lawyer, as a couple of examples of those who will be giving sessions to the students.
“People are fantastic to give up their days for us,” Ms. Whynott added.
Each student will be given a timetable and broken into groups of 20 to attend five sessions throughout the day, roughly half of which are trades-related, the balance academic. The students have also been armed with questions with which to pepper the guests, such as what is involved in a typical day and the advantages and disadvantages in a particular field of work.
“We did it in 2008 and again in 2010,” she said of the career day. “(Sessions) are the best way to run a career day.”
She said she is hoping parents will read this article and get behind the students, encouraging them to take full advantage of the sessions.
The careers being highlighted at the ‘Next stop, your future!’ career day are: accounting/commerce; agriculture/food science; arborist; automotive service technician; alternative energy; business/entrepreneur/sales; chef; Canadian Armed Forces; carpenter; doctor; DJ/event coordinator; dietician/nutritionist; Domtar careers; engineering, electrician; funeral director/mortician; Hydro One; heavy equipment operator; journalist; lawyer; Manitoulin Transport careers; musician; massage therapist; nursing (RN/RNA); policing; paramedics; pharmacist; physiotherapist; personal trainer; psychologist; social worker; teacher; and veterinarian/vet tech.
Ms. Whynott explained that, due to dwindling student population numbers and a lack of OAC year, students often can’t afford the time to take the full semester co-op program anymore. A ‘job shadow’ one-day job exploration is also offered, allowing students a taste of a ‘day in the life.’
“This is a great opportunity for our students,” Ms. Whynott said. “People from on- and off-Island are coming in to share their knowledge. We’re lucky enough to have great alumni too.”
