Goal behind Chamber of Commerce's career day is to highlight career options

The education committee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will hold a career day in February at Central Junior High to show students what hometown career options they have.

In late spring, eighth-graders schedule their first semester of high school classes, which could affect what careers are open to them.

"They need to have an idea about what they're interested in and what they want to be four years from now," said Pat Renard, co-chair of Career Day Activities with the chamber.

That's why Career Day will be in February, so students can be thinking about what careers interest them before they schedule classes, Renard said.

Once eighth-graders return from winter break they will take an aptitude test. After the test, they will be asked to write an essay or design a brochure about a career field that interests them. Then in January, students will have the opportunity to shadow community professionals in their jobs.

The chamber will set up the shadowing experiences by calling professionals and inquiring if they would be interested in having a student shadow them for a day.

Businesses interested in setting up a shadowing experience, a booth or both can contact Nicole Rodriguez, the chamber's community development specialist, at 335-3312.

On Feb. 17, various businesses will set up booths at Central Junior High highlighting careers matching the variety of coursework available at the high school.

"The ideal outcome is that students will be able to go out and actually see what is done with the job that they're interested in and they will have an opportunity to visit with other people in careers that are completely different than anything they've ever thought about," Renard said.

ameyer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127