UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 22, Page 6
March 5, 1992
Classroom visitors discuss their careers

     What do you do in your job?
     Why did you chose your job?
     Can you type without looking?
     How hot is it in Texas?
     How did you learn to be a photographer?
     How long did you have to go to school to get your job?
     Do you make a lot of money?
     Have you talked to any famous people?
     What skills did you need for your job?

     Linda Willey-Impaglizzo has incorporated "Choices and
Changes," an economics program for young students, into her third
grade class at Newark's Cobbs Elementary School. One of the
components of the program for younger children is talking to people
who have different jobs and finding out about them.
     James Kent, associate professor of physical education, an
invited guest of the class, spoke to the children about careers in
sports. "What jobs are associated with sports besides the players?"
he asked.
     The answers came quickly-coaches, nurses and doctors to take
care of players, referees and judges, the person who hires and
fires players, the band, sports broadcasters and writers, taxi
drivers who get people to games, the people selling food, the
people who plan meals for athletes, the electronics people,
maintenance people and those in charge of equipment.
     The students then had a series of questions for Kent. "Why did
you chose your job?" Answer: "I like sports; I like people; I like
to teach, and I'm good at what I do."
     " Did you have extra training and how long did it take you?"
Answer: "Add up the years-five years of college, one year for a
master's degree and six years for a doctorate."
     "What sports do you play?" Answer: "All sports. I played
football, basketball, and now I like to ski and play golf best. I
never was a race track driver though."
     "What skills and talents did you have?" Answer: "I worked hard
in school and was good in reading and math."
     "Athletes have to be fit and flexible," Kent reminded the
class, "so that exercise is very important."
     His parting advice was to read books. "Find something you like
to read and read it. Reading helps teach you how to think."
     School secretary Karen Bandosz then talked about her work, and
was asked about her training and why she chose her job.
     "I did not go to college; I went to business school," she
said. "Grammar, spelling and knowing how to type are all part of my
job, and also being pleasant on the telephone even when I'm having
a bad day. I like my job because I like children-you surprise me
and teach me a lot," she added.
     The students later turned the tables on those who had come to
observe the class and, as fledgling reporters, interviewed them,
making notes and taking turns using the microphone.
     It was an inter-generational exchange that gave everyone
insights into the career process and also elicited the fact that
it's so hot in Texas that people can fry eggs on the sidewalks.
                                         - Sue Swyers Moncure