Middle school students get glimpse into careers Mentoring program matches students with professionals
By Kimberly Benedict Journal Staff Writer
March 1, 2010
Rather than being asked what they want to be when they grow up, 28 students at Cortez Middle School have been given the opportunity to take a hands-on look at what may be their future careers.
The students are a part of the school's mentoring program, which has been a part of the culture at CMS for more than 10 years.
"It's a program the middle school has done for over a decade," said Tara Verenna, CMS gifted and talented coordinator. "It has grown tremendously over the last five years."
The program matches students with professionals in the community based on the career ambitions of the youths.
Any middle school student can participate in the extra-curricular program, although there are a few caveats.
"They have to fill out a job applications, my application for the program," Verenna said. "They have to write a one-page essay and have a GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or higher.
"They choose their top three professions based on interest, and then I will hopefully have a contact for them," she said. "The community has been wonderful. The program wouldn't be possible unless people decided to volunteer their time."
Once accepted to the program, students are given a packet with their mentor's contact information. The rest of the program depends on the student's motivation and self-direction.
"It is above and beyond the typical school day," Verenna said. "They have to work with their mentor for 15 hours. Most of it is completed in the second semester.
"I've made the first contact with their mentor, but the kid needs to call and follow up. They set up the appointments. The parents or guardians provide transportation."
Mentorships are as diverse as the community. This year, students are working with chefs, pilots, authors, teachers, veterinarians, photographers, horse trainers, firefighters, engineers, mechanics and cosmetologists.
Sixth-grader Cordell Ridings is working through the program with Cortez Fire Chief Don Eberle. Ridings wanted a mentorship that was hands-on.
"I wanted to do something with action," Ridings said. "I looked at the Army, but I would have to do that over the Internet.
Ridings, who plans to become a firefighter after a stint in the armed services, has been thrust into the middle of the action with the Cortez Fire Department.
"I went to a car fire training," Ridings said. "I got to put out a ground fire, use a 3 1/4 inch hose. I've learned how to use fire extinguishers the right way and back away from a fire."
Eberle believes there is great value in the program and has worked to make it useful for Ridings.
"It's been a good program," Eberle said. "In our program with him, we work through the procedures. He goes on emergency calls. We ask him to do a report on an article from a trade magazine, and we talk about that."
The fire department is exposing Ridings to as much training as possible, Eberle said.
"He has daily work assignments," the fire chief said. "It is not all fun and games. We want him to understand the full scope of the organization, not just going to calls."
Paige Bailey, also a sixth-grader at CMS, chose a mentorship with Kassy Gnas, a first-grade teacher at Kemper Elementary School.
"I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl," Bailey said.
Bailey's mentorship is unique in that her mentor, Gnas, also went through the program when she was in middle school.
"I personally did it when I was in sixth grade," Gnas said. "My mentor was Joe Paul Wright. He was a teacher at Mesa at the time. I'd always wanted to be a teacher, and that was a huge opportunity for me."
Through her own personal experience, Gnas understands the benefits of the mentorship program.
"When you are young like that, you don't know what kinds of questions to ask about jobs," Gnas said. "I know questions (Bailey) might have that I could help her with."
Once the students have completed their internships, they are required to present a PowerPoint detailing their experience to teachers and their parents.
The program offers students a unique experience to test their visions and dreams, Verenna said.
"Really it is to expose students to different professions that are out there," she said. "It is just as important in my eyes that they find out they don't want to be something. It can be a huge, valuable lesson."
The impact of the mentorship program often follows a student the rest of their lives.
"Studies show that students that have adult mentors are more successful in life," Verenna said. "For a student to hear they have skills and abilities gives them goals to work toward personally."
Cordell Ridings
Fire Training
Menotrship with Codell Riding
Learning how to use a fire extinguisher
Learning how to use a fire extinguisher
Learning how to use a fire extinguisher
Mentorship Cordell Riding
Mentorship Cordell Riding
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