Various community organizations, however, are trying to open young students’ eyes to the wide variety of careers that are available to them later in life, not just the most commonly thought-of choices.

Vision Together, along with United Way, Junior Achievement and PACareerLink, visited Cambria Heights Elementary on Thursday to conduct a kids’ career fair where students were able to hear about different jobs in their community.

At a typical kindergarten graduation, about 80% of students want to be teachers or police officers because those are the occupations they’re exposed to every day at school, according to Cambria Heights Superintendent Ken Kerchenske.

While these occupations are still needed and appreciated, Kerchenske said, “we need kids to understand there are other interests and other opportunities.”

A cheetah wearing a police officer uniform and a carrot stands with a group of first grade students. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

New ideas

Vision Together hosted its first kids’ career fair at the Greater Johnstown School District two years ago, according to community development director Mercedes Barnette.

“From there, it just sparked,” she said, pointing to the program’s expansion into other Cambria County school districts.

The organization’s goal is to reach out to local schools and educate kids about the types of careers available in the community while allowing local employers to collaborate with schools, she said.

Students also receive books and family resource bags meant to increase literacy when away from the classrooms and connect families with employment and community resources.

Teacher Ali Wholaver snaps a picture of kindergarten student Ethan Eckenrode standing behind junior student Drew Lampenfeld dressed as an astronaut. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

“‘It was big for us to do this because we wanted to spark that curiosity in the kids as early as possible,” she said.

Kerchenske was on board when Barnette asked about bringing the career fair to Cambria Heights.

While the district frequently holds career fairs for high school students, Kerchenske said a career fair for kids was a new idea and something he had never heard of prior to Barnette’s proposal.

“It was a new opportunity for our kids,” he said.

Sparking an interest

United Way representative Lauren Lazzay read four “What Will I Be When I Grow Up” books to kindergarten and first grade students at the kids’ career fair hosted at Cambria Heights Elementary School. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

About 500 students from kindergarten to fifth grade participated in the kids’ career fair on Thursday, elementary Principal Eric Nagel said. Participants visited eight tables hosted by community businesses and organizations.

Participating groups included: JWF Industries; Cambria County Prison; Laser Creations; PACareerLink; United Way; Junior Achievement; Vision Together; and the Carrolltown Public Library.

Now being exposed to area jobs at a young age, Nagel said students can also build great relationships with businesses in the area.

He also said showing students different career paths when they’re young sparks their interest, mentioning that JWF Industries showed videos that include the equipment they use.

The United Way station featured representative Lauren Lazzay, who read four books from the “What Will I Be When I Grow Up?” series that features many different occupations, including a race car driver, veternanian and mechanic.

Junior Achievement representative Doug Knepper reviewed vocabulary words ‘need’ and ‘want’ with an excited kindergarten group. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

With a wide selection of different careers represented or spoken about at the fair, students can consider more career options than the select few they knew about beforehand, Nagel said.

Accomplishing dreams

Cambria Heights students and staff were encouraged to dream big about their future career goals (see sidebar for kids’ answers).

First grade teacher Shanon Bender said her kids enjoyed the career fair.

“They’re learning new things about that (careers), and they’re really excited,” she said.

“What Will I Be When I Grow Up” books line a United Way table during the kids’ career fair on Thursday morning at Cambria Heights Elementary School. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

Giving them firsthand exposure to different opportunities at a young age helps students think outside of the box, she said, opening their minds up to new possibilities.

The career fair “shows that they can be different things, that whatever they put their minds to, they can do,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.