Madison Middle School students get a look into the future

(Photos by Jessica Ruger)
It’s never too soon to learn what it might be like in the “real world” after high school. Last week, two career-centered events at Madison Middle School brought that point home. School staff shares photos and a recap:

More than 45 adults representing Madison parents, the Y, City Year and South Seattle Community College visited our students during two career events.

(Lauren Hadley from the Georgetown Apprenticeship/Education Center, Vanessa Reed Calonzo from SSCC, Colleen McDevitt and Sean Goode from the Y)
On Tuesday the YMCA, with support from the City Year team at West Seattle High School, put our 8th grade students through an exercise called “A Real Life Fair”. Each student was given an envelope with a high school degree, Associate Degree or a Bachelors Degree paper, a job title and some play money that would be associated with that job. Students were told to manage their money by going around to each table to make payments for child care, food, transportation and housing.

(Math teacher Mr. Meltzer collects payments for transportation
Some of our students ran out of money quickly, while others decided to pursue higher education to increase their wages.

(Ms. Yoshitomi talking to a class about entrepreneurialism)
Career Day on Thursday allowed each student to hear from 3 adults talking about their careers and what education is required for their job. The students showed a lot of interest in learning about their future and the adults were excited to share insights about how to succeed in life.

P.S. Madison’s annual auction date is set – March 10; full details on the school’s webpage.

GreatSoFar January 30, 2012 (6:59 am)

As one of the participants in Career Day, I just want to give kudos to the counselors and teachers who welcomed us to graciously. The students were attentive and respectful. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and would do it again in a heartbeat.

JD January 30, 2012 (8:13 am)

It’s refreshing to see the schools actively trying to prepare kids for real life. If only they would stick to it so they don’t end up interviews looking like they just rolled out of bed.

Jolyn Stricherz January 30, 2012 (10:23 am)

This is such a great idea. Congratulations for putting this together! To show students what life after high school could be like for them is absolutely necessary. Nice job, Ms. Ruger!

Jen January 30, 2012 (10:43 am)

My daughter enjoyed the presentations very much. A friend and I are continuing with some activities of our own to explore different career paths with our daughters and I would LOVE to have an opportunity to hear from or meet with women in interesting fields. jenbellryan@gmail.com if you might have 15 or so minutes to spare… thanks :)

WSB January 30, 2012 (11:09 am)

If media ever comes up, and you don’t have anyone else lined up, we do make the circuit. Talking to a group of Scouts this week, in fact :) Even though the news business is changing in a big way, we still need a new generation of journalists/writers/photographers/researchers/curators/etc. … TR

sam-c February 8, 2012 (3:32 pm)

so in the pretend scenarios, when the students had to look for childcare in order to accept the job they were offered, were they met at every turn with 1+ years / or closed waiting lists, and then forced to hire a nanny whose hourly wages were pretty close to what their starting wage would be? now THAT would be realistic.

Sorry, comment time is over.