Career Day offers North Vermilion Middle 8th-graders glimpse at potential futures

For an eighth-grader sitting at their desk, the future can seem uncertain when it comes to a career path.
On Wednesday, 201 eighth-graders at North Vermilion Middle School found no better time than the present to develop a clearer idea of what they may want to do when they grow up.
The school held its second Career Day. More than 20 local businesses, along with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Maurice Volunteer Fire Department, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and branches of the U.S. Military, gathered to provide students with some insight into what they can offer.
“This is planting a seed,” NV Middle Principal Kandice Broussard said. “To me, it’s part of our responsibility as middle school administrators and teachers to get them ready for the future in school. We get them ready to take on their responsibilities on campus and also to enter those career paths. Will that lead them to a university or another career path?
“We have so many companies out here that encompass so many things that can give them an idea.”
Averie Monte, one of those students, said she enjoyed the event.
“I’m glad that our school can put on something like this for our students to see what we want to do,” Monte said. “We can see what we may want to study in college. It definitely gives you a different perspective.”
Did anything in particular strike Monte on Wednesday?
“I’m not 100% sure what I want to do yet or what I’m passionate about,” Monte said. “I’ve looked at nursing, with Ochsner {Health} being here. The fire department was interesting. This day just gave us an opportunity to connect and communicate with adults and get ideas of what you’re interested in doing when you grow up.”
In April, the NV students will have a chance to get a closer look at their various interests. The students will select from job shadowing opportunities with companies at the career day. Emily Miller, an 8th-grade social studies teacher involved in the career day, said job-shadowing is another layer.
“They’re going to go out in the community and go to work for a day,” Miller said. “They can see what it’s like being on the job. Talking about a job and doing a job are two totally different things. They get to see the real world.”
Miller said she is excited for the students.
“It makes my heart so happy knowing that the students wanted to be here,” Miller said. “You see the spark in them.”