McNeill Elementary students attend career fair

BOWLING GREEN,Ky.-Students at McNeill Elementary school in Bowling Green are a looking to the future.

The school hosted a career fair for third and fifth graders to help them pick a future job.

Students rushed into classrooms and packed them from wall to wall to hear from 13 different guest speakers about their careers.

“I wanted our students to see that there are multiple paths to success. We were very conscious of finding careers from all walks of life, and different levels of training. We wanted the students to see lots of different options and get those wheels turning in their head,” said Carla Vigil, an instructional coach at McNeill.

The guest speakers were brought in to discuss possible career paths. The students were able to choose three jobs to learn more about, including detective veterinarian and music teacher.

“I remember when I was a kid and having career fairs at school, and the state police coming in and talking to us. I’ve wanted to be a police officer my whole life, so that meant the world to me,” said Bowling Green Police Department Detective Melissa Wartak.

Children got to choose to learn about careers that interested them.

“I think they feel so empowered, because they chose. They had the opportunity to go online and select their sessions, so each student got to choose what they’re interested in,” said Vigil.

Vigil said it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.

“I knew what I wanted to do when I was in elementary school, and at least what field I wanted to go into. I think the world needs more people who are doing what they love, and not dreading going to work,” said Vigil.

The Career Fair was divided into three sessions total, and it only took an hour out of the regular school day.