TL Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Freshmen at Martins Ferry High School listen to alumni talk about their careers Friday morning during the annual Career Day.
MARTINS FERRY — Martins Ferry High School graduates returned to their roots Friday morning to educate students about the different career paths available.
The school held its annual Careers Day, where students were able to hear from people working in a variety of fields, including hairdressing, coal mining and law enforcement, about how they got to their current positions.
Superintendent Jim Fogle said the students took this very seriously and engaged each visitor seriously.
“We try to put aside the books and regular classes for a little bit and make it a relaxing day because this is also an educational experience that they don’t get every day.” he said. ”
Martins Ferry High School has held career days for about 15 years, and Fogle said students always respond positively. He said this gives students an opportunity to spark their interest in something if they are interested in a particular field. In turn, it may motivate them to study the field and help them decide if it’s something they want to pursue as a career.
Students asked questions such as, “How many years did you have to attend college?” “Do I still have debt?” “If an online degree is available, would you consider it?”
John McFarland, a land officer with American Consolidated Natural Resources, came to talk about his land officer job for the first time after spending years in the police department and speaking to students about his 29 years as police chief. I came there to.
Mr. McFarland explained his new career to the students and talked about how he graduated from high school in 1992, his educational background, and his experiences.
He explained how networking and making connections can help later in life and how it is a way to develop a person’s career.
He said it felt different coming back as a land officer rather than as a police chief, and students still asked him questions about his previous career. But he was excited to explain to them what he was doing and the lessons he had learned.
“I just hope they listen,” McFarland said. “There are so many wonderful people here, from all walks of life, who provide a good life for them, and the decisions they make now, for good or bad, have a huge impact on their lives and their lives. It turns out that you can explain that you might give. ”
Hairdresser Angie Mamone was there to talk about her career after graduating in 2006. She wanted her students to know that they can make a career out of anything they’re passionate about, no matter where they live.
Mamone enjoyed returning to school and talking to the students.
“It feels incredible to see so much change in 15, 20 years,” she said. “And really, I just want to encourage people to follow their dreams.”
Scott Ross, chief operating officer of Belmont Mills, who graduated in 2000, also spoke to students about his career. Ross said they talked more about different career paths, college choices and how they view their end goals than about their jobs at Belmont Mills. Because when I was 18, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my career.
At age 18, Ross said it’s difficult to know what a person wants to do with the rest of their life. He said he didn’t think much about it when he was with students, so he wanted to instill in them an attitude of taking on challenges. Make a plan and consider which route to take.
“What I want to say, apart from what I’m talking about, is the work ethic,” he said. “A lot of what I did and why I was successful was because of my work ethic and desire to be the best at whatever I do. So I hope that comes across to them. ”
ACNR Director of Environmental Compliance John Nagel, a 2005 graduate, spoke to students about the opportunities available to the Ohio Valley coal industry, including coal miners, boat pilots, lawyers and engineers.
Nagel said he finds it rewarding to talk to students about his work. He is also a member of the Board of Education. He wants students to know that there are many promising opportunities here locally.
Other professions that participated included an aerospace engineer, a U.S. secret agent, and a nurse.
Fogle hopes students will become interested in careers and explore them more deeply after Career Day.
“I hope this piece sparks curiosity about what they didn’t know about that particular career,” he said. “And maybe they will research that career and figure out how to get a degree to get that job.”
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