STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – Recently, the eighth grade students at Ste. Genevieve Middle School participated in their annual Career Week.
The students met and engaged with area representatives from local businesses, organizations and colleges and universities. They participated in career exploration, trade school programs, high school and college, guest speakers, and a trip to the Perryville Area Career and Technology Center.
The progression of the activities throughout the week included:
- Thursday, Oct. 9: PACTC Day: Students visited the Perryville Area Career and Technology Center (PACTC) to learn about the various hands-on learning opportunities the center has to offer in welding technology, information technology, graphic design technology, early childhood professionals, health occupations, auto collision repair technology, construction technology, industrial and engineering technology, and digital media technology. The students participated in activities related to the various program areas, and interacted with instructors and current students. They spent time in three program areas of their choice and learned about the educational opportunities available to them in their junior and senior years of high school.
- Monday, Oct. 20: Tyson Schaffner, president of the Patched Overalls Experience and an alumnus of Ste. Genevieve High School, was the keynote speaker to kick off Career Week. This program offers one student each year the opportunity to fulfill a dream experience between their junior and senior year. The students asked questions around planning and preparing for traveling and educational experiences, and Tyson encouraged students to be bold and curious in discovering their career paths, and to step out of their comfort zone for the opportunity to experience something new and spectacular.
- Tuesday, Oct. 21: What It Takes Day: On this day, representatives from our local area visited to talk to students about various career, work, and educational opportunities that will become available to them in high school, including local job and career opportunities in our community, as well as experiences at the junior college and university level. Representatives included: Ste. Genevieve High School Assistant Principal and A+ Coordinator Dustin Schnable and SGHS Counselor Russ Toombs, Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) representative William Popp, Mineral Area College (MAC) representative Billy Goldsmith, State Tech representative Julie Hayes and SGHS High School students to discuss classes the eighth graders can take to help prepare them for the next steps.
- Wednesday, Oct. 22: Career Day: Students rotated through five presentations from more than 20 area representatives to learn about their particular fields of study:
- aerospace engineer Amy Helvey;
- process engineer Jared Kenik;
- baker and business owner Pat Schaaf;
- Basler Funeral Home Director Eric Basler;
- Marzuco Electric Inc. owner and electrician Chip Marzuco;
- Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary Operations Manager John Madigan;
- EMT Beth Ryan;
- farmers Garrett Kertz and Andy Braun;
- Genevieve mayor and Bloomsdale Bank Vice President Brian Keim;
- Nurses Katie Hogenmiller and Lisa Burr;
- School resource officer Nick Cusanelli and his K-9, Mario;
- Hawn State Park Superintendent Chase Foley;
- Park Ranger Mary Crowell;
- Student workers Clementine Birkenstock and Anna Fischer; and
- Veterinarian Dr. Jodi Bainter.
“We’re so thankful to the professionals from local businesses, industries, and colleges who dedicated their time to help our students explore possible career paths,” said Counselor Dr. Ed Draper. “It’s inspiring for our eighth graders to hear directly from those working in the field about how their interests can grow into future opportunities. We also want to thank our outstanding faculty and staff at both the middle and high school levels for their coordination, support, and enthusiasm. Career Week continues to be a success because of the collective effort of everyone involved.”