Skyview Elementary Holds Second-Annual Career Day

Skyview Upper Elementary School students were given a whirlwind of a day when 60 working professionals presented many different career opportunities awaiting them.

The professionals’ visit was part of Skyview Elementary’s second annual Career Day, which took place March 22.

“Today was just phenomenal,” Melissa Gorla, Skyview Elementary principal, said. “The students got to see a little slice of life of what’s outside Skyview.”

She said that the students were very excited to meet the visiting adults and learn about their careers, even dressing up like business professionals themselves, donning suits and ties, which Gorla called “Gear up for Gretaness Day.”

“The students represented us so well,” she said.

“I liked it because of the way they taught it,” Dylan Romano, Skyview fifth-grade student, who was proudly dressed in a suit, said. “I thought it was a good idea.”

The Career Day started at 9 a.m. and lasted until 1 p.m., with each of the professionals visiting classrooms and making their presentations for a half-hour. Students, along with scheduled breaks, got to meet an average of six professionals throughout the day.

Among the list of careers were:

• Chef
• Fire Fighter
• Lower Providence Police School Resource Officer
• Florist
• Trauma Orthopedic Nurse
• Software Engineering Professor
• News Reporter
• Chocolatier
• Chief Financial Officer for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Ice Sculpter
• Attorney
• Wildlife Conservation Officer
• Holistic Health Coach
• Architect

“There was a real range,” Beth VanBuren, Skyview Elemetnary School counselor, said.

VanBuren, who led the coordination of the event, explained that bringing a career day to an elementary school not only provides career ideas to the students, but is also a part of their core standards of education.

She said that with the success of last year’s career day, more professionals have become interested in sharing their stories with the students. However, she added that the school will be looking for professionals for next year’s career day.

It’s not Work if you Love the Job

Many of the professionals participating in the career day were also parents of Skyview students. This was the case with Sgt. Michael Chambers, a Pennsylvania State Trooper, who is stationed at the King of Prussia Barracks.

Joining Chambers was his partner Trooper Pak Yuen and Trooper Morgan Crummy, who is stationed out of the Skippack barracks.

“I always like talking about the job,” Chambers said. “We can give them an idea of what state police officers are like.”

Chambers, a 1989 Methacton High School graduate, fielded several questions from the curious Skyview fifth-grade students. He explained several law enforcement tools, including his taser and radar gun, which he and Yuen gave a field demonstration outside the school.

He said that the role of a state trooper is to keep everyone safe, and provided safety advice, such as not talking to strangers and getting the attention of adults in emergency situations.

The students were also curious about the more exciting parts of his profession.

“Yes, I have been in a lot of crazy car chases. But, I don’t like them, because they put my life at risk, other drivers’ lives at risk and that person’s life at risk,” Chambers said. “It’s a tough job with a lot of stress, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

The students were also curious about the wide-brimmed campaign-style hat he was wearing.

“I love the hat,” Chambers said. “It’s part of the uniform.”

Chambers daughter, Skyview fifth-grade student Marci Cahmbers, said she was proud that her father had volunteered for the day.

“I thought it would be interesting to share what my dad does, because I think it’s interesting, too,” Marci said, adding that she enjoyed hearing about what her classmates’ parents’ careers. “I learned that there is a whole lot of different opportunities to get jobs and make a living, and a lot of jobs are really important.”

The Skyview Career Day ended with special keynote speaker Marc Dicciani.

Dicciani, also a Skyview parent, has a successful career as a musician, and is the director of music at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

He said that it was an honor and very exciting to be invited to speak at the event.

“I want to let the students know that it’s ok to dream big and believe in themselves,” Dicciani said.

He opened his presentation with a seven minute drum solo that was completely improvised, and effectively caught the attention of the hundreds of awestruck elementary students.

He shared that he followed his dreams and didn’t let anyone else sway him otherwise, and said that hard work toward that dream will always trump talent.

“Talent is being lucky enough to find something you love,” Dicciani said. “One of the coolest things is that I get to wake up every morning and that’s what I get to do.”

For more information about the Skyview Upper Elementary School Career Day, e-mail Beth VanBuren at bvanburen@methacton.org.