Lakeside Elementary buzzed with excitement as community career leaders visited the school to support Career Day for students in grades 4–6. The event brought a wide range of professionals into classrooms and the gym, giving students hands‑on opportunities to learn about different career paths and ask questions directly of people who work in their community.
Representatives from law enforcement and emergency services — including police officers and paramedics — explained their day‑to‑day responsibilities, demonstrated safety equipment, and discussed how teamwork and quick decision‑making keep neighborhoods safe. Members of the military shared stories about service, leadership, and the variety of roles available within the armed forces.
Students also met skilled tradespeople and local business owners. A welder showed examples of metalwork and discussed the training and certifications needed for the trade. A florist demonstrated basic floral arranging and talked about creativity, customer service, and running a small business. A quilter displayed finished quilts and explained how patience, precision, and design come together in textile work.
Other visitors included a lawyer who described what it’s like to prepare cases and advocate for clients, and school and office secretaries who highlighted the organizational and communication skills that keep schools and businesses running smoothly. Throughout the morning, volunteers from a range of additional careers — from healthcare to administration — set up interactive stations so students could try simple tasks and see career tools up close.
Teachers organized grade‑appropriate Q&A sessions so 4th, 5th, and 6th graders could ask about education pathways, daily routines, and what skills employers look for. Students asked thoughtful questions about topics such as how to become a paramedic, what a typical day for a police officer looks like, and how tradespeople build portfolios of work. Many students said they appreciated learning about careers they hadn’t considered before.