Future Police, Firefighters, Doctors, Lawers and Superheroes Learn About Future Careers in Career Day Event

Police, firefighters, doctors and dentists weren't the only ones in uniform at Rogers Elementary School on Halloween morning; this time, they were joined by elementary school children who also came dressed as cowboys, superheroes, police members, firefighters and doctors. The children, who came to school that morning dressed in the uniform of the future career they are interested in pursuing, visited various career stations during Rogers Elementary's sixth annual Career Day event, held each year on Halloween. Last year, Principal Lisa Mannes told the Colton City News that the event falls coincides with the Halloween holiday each year to allow students to participate in the Halloween tradition of costume dress up, but also encourages them to become actively involved in thinking about their future careers. "At Rogers Elementary School we tell our students that there is no limit to their academic success, and that includes their dreams about future professions," Mannes told parents in an email. "Our school educates the future doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business leaders of Colton. We are committed to showing our students that there is a world of possibilities out there, and that they need to start thinking now about how to achieve those dreams." The fair takes place prior to the start of school on the blacktop area. Students are encouraged to interact with and learn from various career professionals in industries including public safety, health and medicine, civic leadership and more. "This special day will give students the opportunity to talk with people in the field about what steps they will need to take to complete the education required for their potential field, and also ask questions about the job itself," Mannes continued in her email. Veronica Gonzales is the school's project office assistant and the event coordinator. She's been in charge of the event since its inception in 2008, she shared. "It's a lot of work, but then you hear the kids say they really enjoyed it and it makes it worthwhile," said Gonzales. Vehicles included a CHP motorcycle and vehicle unit, two City electric vehicles and an AMR ambulance. To encourage the children to familiarize themselves with the various career vendors, each student was given a bingo card with questions printed on the back that they had the option to ask career representatives. Questions included "How long did you have to go to school for this career?", "What is your favorite part about your job?" and "Why did you choose this career?" Once students formed a bingo, they placed their bingo cards into a box, where a winner was chosen as principal for the day at a future date to be determined. Gonzales felt the career day event is beneficial for the students. "Everyone participates. It's something to aspire to; it's something they can work toward or at least get them thinking about what they want to do when they grow up," she said. This year 27 agencies participated in the career day event, including gold prospectors, the Office of Eloise Gomez Reyes, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a baker, the Colton City electric company, the Colton Police Department (CPD), Colton Fire Department (CFD), California Highway Patrol (CHP), American Medical Response (AMR), the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, a big rig driver and City leaders including the mayor and several council members, shared Gonzales. Many vendors brought vehicles on site and invited children to take a look inside, Gonzales added.