Middletown Area Middle School (MAMS) recently held its eighth-grade career expo, allowing eighth graders to hear from nearly a dozen professionals representing various career fields.
Careers represented included healthcare, cosmetology, finance, communications, and engineering. Throughout each session, students asked the professionals about their jobs, including education requirements, salary ranges, daily responsibilities, and the pros and cons of the job. Students even had the opportunity to hear from Mr. David Franklin, MASD Chief Financial Officer, and Mrs. Beth Williams, MASD Director of Communications, about their career experiences.
This is the second year for the event and is part of MAMS’ grade-level career-based education. Other components of career-based education include the teaching of soft and interpersonal skills, as well as time management and organization. Later this fall, middle school students will have the opportunity to take field trips to see careers in action.
Once in high school, students will choose a career pathway and focus on elective courses toward preparing for a specific goal area. The five career pathways at Middletown Area High School are: Arts and Communications; Business, Finance, and Information Technology; Engineering and Industrial Technology; Human Services; and Science and Health.
Middletown Area High School Social Studies Teacher and Human Services Pathway Chair, Mr. Josh Rytel, provided MAMS students with insight into the career pathways, and high school students shared information about courses, electives, and hands-on learning experiences within each pathway.
Thank you to all the professionals who took time out of their day to talk with and inspire our middle school students!
Below, UPMC nurses Karen Osenbach and Cheryl Westmoreland talk with students about careers in the healthcare field.
HVAC technician Dale Loch shares with students about his background and experience as well as the training needed for his profession.
MAHS senior Kyle Kinsey shares with students about the Business, Finance, and Information Technology pathway. Pictured from the left are Rylan Sharon, Haley Adams, Zoe Handwerk, and Mason Stiffler, who shared insights about their respective pathway. Also pictured is Mr. Josh Rytel, MAHS Social Studies Teacher and Human Services Pathway chair.