Commack Road Students Enjoy A Week Of Career Exploration

Press release from the Islip School District:

May 12, 2021

Islip’s Commack Road Elementary School held College and Career Readiness Week
from April 12-16, focusing on expanding students’ awareness of their personal interests,
passions, skills and strengths, and providing them with the chance to explore different
career opportunities. Each class participated in different college and career exploration
activities.

Second graders learned all about college and used their imagination to create their
own colleges and mascots.

Third graders explored their passions and interests, and applied them to the world
of work, completing an “I will change the world in my future career” activity.

Fourth graders learned about different career clusters by participating in a career
necktie activity. Students read through a series of statements and decided which was most
interesting to them. Based on their interest, they selected which hue to color in their ties. At
the conclusion, the fourth graders noted which colors they used the most throughout the
activity and were placed in a career cluster to explore different types of jobs.

Fifth graders learned about John Holland’s six personality types and completed a
career interest inventory. They discovered which personality type they fit into most and
explored a variety of career options, then completed a career research pennant on a job
that interested them.

Throughout the week, Commack Road’s students participated in a schoolwide
scavenger hunt, which featured college terminology and questions about the college and
career experiences of the school’s teachers and staff. Scavenger hunt clues were placed
around the halls and incorporated into announcements. Classes who completed the
scavenger hunt were entered into a drawing to receive a class prize. The victorious class –
Kristen Pacello’s third graders – won sunglasses with a note attached saying, “My future’s
so bright I have to wear shades.”

“While there are many years before students must make a decision about their
future, college and career exploration is a K-12 process and a vital part of students
educational experiences,” school counselor Sara Comiskey said. “College and career
development activities provide students with opportunities to create personal and
academic goals, and help them reach their fullest potential.”

This press release was produced by the Islip School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.