Corinth Elementary hosts Fifth Annual Career Day

On Sept. 23, Corinth Elementary School (CES) hosted its 5th annual Career Day where students are introduced to over 50 career paths. The CES Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), school counselors, administrators and community partners work together to help plan and support Career Day. Over 85 local professionals spend the day at 34 stations to showcase their careers to over 1,000 students in grades Prek-4. 

Some of the career pathways included musician, pottery artist, nurse practitioner, TVA electrical engineer, banker, optometrist, social worker, pharmacist, insurance broker, park ranger, physical therapist, archaeologist, pilot and dentist. Additionally, trucks and vehicles were in the back parking lot for students to explore including road maintenance equipment, ACE Power/ACE Fiber trucks, highway patrol truck, ambulance, fire truck, police car, garbage truck and SWAT team truck. Throughout the day, students visit each station with their class and classroom teacher to learn about different career opportunities. 

One of the highlights is the medical station that is set up in the gym. “My favorite part of Career Day is the medical stations that are only for our 4th graders,” said Leslie Hall, one of the CES school counselors. “Dr. Steve Haywood from Magnolia Regional Health Center has graciously brought medical equipment and supplies along with doctors, interns and medical students to interact with our students and give them a chance to do some hands-on learning.”

Students enjoy testing out all the medical simulation devices and learning how to use real-life equipment. “My favorite part of Career Day was going to all the medical stations!” said Jeremiah McGee, 4th grader. “I really liked the stations where we got to learn how to do CPR. Something new I learned today was that I can chase my dreams! I have so many options of things I can be!”

“My favorite part was getting to put a cast on a friend and getting to explore all the different options of medical jobs!” said Ellie Winans, fourth grader. “Jobs can take you to some interesting places.” 

This year’s event featured different careers and showcased a passport-theme. “This year’s new careers were definitely highlights for the students,” said Elizabeth Rogers, CES PTO Career Day chair. “Mr. Bill Terry brough guitars to engage the future musicians. Cody Rogers, graphic designer, showed future artists that they really can COLOR as a career.” 

Additionally, the students loved meeting and talking to the local professionals. “I liked seeing the archaeologist because I love rocks,” said Wilder Webb, second grader. “I learned that the further you dig, the older things get.” 

“Pottery was my favorite part of Career Day,” said Ca’mari Carr, third grader. “I learned how she made different textures with tools.” 

“Through our ‘Passport to the Future’ theme, the CES PTO gave every student a passport card to collect stamps while exploring careers and meeting local professionals,” said Kelyn Dodd, CES PTO vice president. “We wanted to make Career Day memorable while showing students that their future can begin right here in Corinth—and that they can one day give back to the community that supports them.” 

The 85 community presenters are a large part of what makes this event special. “We could not do this without the many volunteers who give up a day from work to come and be a presenter,” said Hall. “When you walk around you can see all of the time and hard work they have put into sharing information about their career. Our presenters go above and beyond what is asked of them.” 

“When local businesses, professionals and community members take the time to come into our school and share what they do, it makes those careers feel real and attainable,” said Jennifer Timbes, CES PTO president. “A student may meet someone that day who introduces them to a path they had never considered before.” 

The vehicles outside are always a fun part of the day because students get to see these trucks up close and learn about safety. They often get to explore the trucks by climbing up in them. “My favorite station was the highway patrol because it showed us the importance of wearing your seat belt,” said Jaxson Ronacher. 

In all the grades, students dress up in an outfit that features their career interests. “We encourage students to dress as their future career and we have a photo backdrop where every student has their photo made with a sign saying, ‘When I grow up, I want to be…’,” said Hall. “I love this part because it gets the dialogue going at home as well as in the classroom.”

Support and help from the CES PTO is vital to the success of Career Day. “The PTO helps with community outreach, volunteers, hospitality and the materials needed to make the day interactive and memorable for our students,” said Timbes. 

Over 20 PTO volunteers plan and work to make the event special for the students. “At the event, we decorate, set up tables, coordinate between classes and the career representatives and ensure every child gets a picture taken while dressed up for Career Day,” said Rogers.

“Our PTO is amazing!” said Hall. “Anything we can dream up, they try to make it happen. They use their contacts to help bring new presenters in each year. This Career Day could not happen without our PTO. I am truly thankful to work with such an amazing group of parents who want such great things for our school and students.” 

Career Day begins long before the actual event. Prior to Career Day, CES school counselors Whitney Works and Leslie Hall go into classrooms and introduce the concept of work, the purpose of a job and explore various career pathways. In third grade, the counselors introduce more career options including pairing interests with different careers. In the fourth grade, the counselors focus on career clusters and take what they are interested in and match it to various careers. Additionally, they do a lesson on the top ten job skills, such as communication, organization, team work, punctuality and creativity. “I want my students to get the message that they can do anything and be anything they want,” said Hall. “In order to do that, we have to get them exploring, learning and dreaming about their future career. We are discovering that anything is possible, and there are so many wonderful possibilities out there.”

In the end, Career Day is a favorite annual event. “I enjoyed seeing the children light up with excitement as they imagined what they could become,” said Sarah Bricker, kindergarten teacher. “I’d like to extend our gratitude to everyone who came and presented and everyone who had a hand in making today possible for our students. It was a joy-filled day of learning, and we are so grateful for the opportunities provided!”

The Corinth Elementary School gives a big thanks to the CES PTO and all the community members who made this event possible.