Just before Spring Break, 8th-grade students at Frenship Middle School had an exciting day of career exploration, hearing from over 20 different presenters from different careers. Students from Frenship High School even visited to share insight on different high school programs and pathways to help younger students plan for their future.
Laura Walraven, a Social Studies teacher at Frenship Middle School, played a key role in organizing this valuable event. Walraven explained that her inspiration for Career Day stemmed from her own experience as a freshman in high school.
“As I entered my freshman year of high school, I felt overwhelmed by the numerous options available to me,” said Walraven. “I wish I had been more informed about the various classes I would have had the opportunity to take. I had a similar experience at my previous school district and knew that if given the opportunity to organize a comparable event at my next campus, I would gladly do so.”
To select the careers and guest speakers for this event, Walraven collaborated with the head of the counseling department and reached out to professionals whose careers aligned with the opportunities available to students. Teachers on campus also played an essential role by connecting Walraven with individuals who could offer valuable insights.
“My goal for Career Day was to provide students with a clearer understanding of the options available to them,” said Walraven. “I wanted to expose them to careers they may not have previously considered, rather than simply reinforcing what they already knew. Encouraging students to attend a presentation about a familiar career seemed unproductive. Instead, I aimed for them to explore fields like data analysis, hoping they would uncover new interests beyond their initial expectations.”
Walraven also highlighted how this event helps students prepare for their transition to high school and future career planning.
“While students may not remember every presentation for years to come, I hope they will look back on this event and be surprised by the career fields that captured their interest,” said Walraven. “More importantly, I want them to feel empowered and confident in their future opportunities and choices as they embark on their own career journeys.”
Walraven feels grateful for all of the guest speakers who took the time to invest in Frenship students.
“I am incredibly grateful to all the participants who took the time to speak with our students—this event would not have been a success without them,” said Walraven. “I have received enthusiastic feedback from both students and teachers, many of whom have shared how much they enjoyed the event and even suggested career fields to feature next year. My hope is that by sharing the success of this event, more members of the community will be inspired to get involved and play a role in our students' career journeys.”
Guest speakers included:
- Sunshine Stanek - Criminal District Attorney
- Kim Elliott - Investigator
- Brian Fox - Data Analyst
- Camden Reese - Photographer/Videographer
- Lucinda Holt - Crime Reporter for The New York Times
- Courtney Paz - City Secretary
- Mike Gross - Airesti Chiropractor
- Avery Martinez and Natalie Hill - FHS Floral Design Students
- Michael Matsik - LPD Officer
- Dana Vinson - FHS Teacher; Automotive Technology
- Austin Ross - Firefighter
- Jim Archer and Shawn Anglin - Real Estate Agents
- James Holloway and FHS students - Engineering
- Ron Roberts - Meteorologist
- Kacie Monforte, Breonne Davis, Sara Prewit, Alyson Wilburn - UMC Nurses
- Justin Sorensen - Orthodontist
- Logan Smith - Engineer
- Mark Walraven - Taxidermy
- Lissa Anglin - Art Director
- Ryan Pieniazek – FHS Ag Teacher; Agriculture
Awesome work, Frenship Middle School!