Finley Launches Career Café Initiative
There is always something new happening around J. Taylor Finley Middle School. This fall it’s been a career café initiative that will be bringing professionals from a variety of occupations into the auditorium during lunch periods to speak with seventh and eighth graders.
The program kicked off late last month when Carlos Burgos, a Keylite Studio artist and photographer came to Finley to speak about art industry career possibilities. “Students were able to handle a professional camera as well as learn how to turn their passion into a career,” said Finley guidance counselor Sarah Burgos, who spearheaded the initiative with department colleague Denise Caiazzo.
The two Finley guidance counselors received support for the initiative from Kitty R. Klein, district director of guidance and testing, K-12. “The career cafe initiative took off quite well,” Ms. Klein said. “I am so pleased with the way the school counseling team came together to devise monthly themes for our students.”
Mr. Burgos was popular with the 52 Finley students that met with him over the course of two different lunch periods. Discussions included the importance of middle school courses to a later career in the arts and what students can do now to start their journey.
Dennis Chimelis, AMC Network’s vice president of standards and practices is scheduled to come to Finley on Wednesday, November 25 to meet with students during two lunch periods in the auditorium.
Mr. Chimelis will discuss what his job entails, including approving scripts for shows on AMC, WeTV, IFC, Sundance and BBC America channels. The shows include The Walking Dead, Better Call Saul, Braxton Family Values and Dr. Who. He will talk about the importance of the oral and written communication skills his position demands. He frequently meets with the executive producers and directors of each show. He will also share the education and training required to obtain a position like his.
“Grounded in the college and career readiness standards, our focus was to increase awareness of various occupations, other than the traditional careers that students may be familiar with,” Ms. Klein said. “It is important that when students come to school they are able to formulate connections between what they are learning and how it relates to future aspirations. They can then better understand the importance of setting goals earlier on.”
“Children at this age are often unsure of what career path they would like to pursue,” Ms. Burgos said. “Presentations such as these assist in allowing students to learn about different areas of expertise and what they can do to develop their skills and talents. Speakers are encouraged to bring props; items they use in their jobs and giveaways with their company logo.”
Upcoming career café presenters include marriage and family counselor Oscar Lopez, who also owns a translation services company, weatherman John Heymann and children’s author Bill Russell.
Finley seventh and eighth graders are already talking about possible careers that have captured their interest. “Students also have an opportunity to research careers even further through the Guidance Direct program, our online career and college search platform,” Ms. Klein said.
Career café presenters are asked to share information related to the following questions:
• How did you become interested in your current field?
• What education or training did you need for this position?
• What is a typical workday like?
• What are your duties, work schedule (day/evening), work environment and travel requirements?
• What advice do you have for students considering a career in your field?
• What has your career path been like? Were you a career changer? Did you switch college majors?
• What were your career interests when you were in middle school?
• What is the best and worst part about your job?
• What skills (including interpersonal, organizational and fine motor) are needed to be successful in this career?
• What skills can a middle school student begin to develop now if they are interested in pursuing a career in this field?
• How much training or education do you need for your job?
• Where did you go to college and what was your major?
• What type of classes did you take in college?
• What classes in middle and high school are helpful to perform this job?
• What is the salary range for this type of career?
• Did you hold any other jobs or positions before your current job/career?
• Was this your first career choice?
• What type of people do you meet?
• Would a career interest inventory taken in middle or high school help to identify your talents?
Interested in participating in a future Finley career café session? Send a message to Ms. Burgos at sburgos@hufsd.edu.