Students at Colina learn during annual Career Day
By Joann Groff oann@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers PICKING A CAREER- Beverly Hills Fire Department Capt. Brett Wilson, a Thousand Oaks resident, is assisted by his daughter, Mattie, 13, a Los Cerritos Middle School eighth-grader, center. Wilson discusses the equipment needs of firefighters by having seventh-grader Juliana Frisola, 12, display his suit, axe and red hat. The demonstration took place during the recent Career Day at the school.

Prosecutors, consultants and film directors mingled with dog handlers, fire captains and massage therapists to help middle school students get a real picture of some of the career choices that lie ahead.

Los Cerritos Middle School hosted a recent Career Day, bringing in nearly 40 speakers to educate students on a variety of occupations.

The event, which requires speakers to commit to three hours with students, has been an annual event at Los Cerritos since the late '90s. Each visitor gives five halfhour presentations during the first half of the day.

About 45 kids packed into one session to hear Tracy Grim, a selfemployed inventor, discuss developing ideas into inventions.

"Just about everyone in here is an inventor," Grim said. "It's in all of us. We have problems and we come up with solutions."

Grim pointed out that some of the best inventors are young people.

"As young people are growing, they're constantly using their imagination and they have a lot of energy," Grim said. "The goal is to come up with a 'novel' solution- something new."

Tamie Foley, an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department, fielded many questions from the classroom full of kids- some curious about violent crimes and gangs and others asking her to remove her gun. Foley said no.

Student Kaitlynn Grim had the question of the day when she asked what was in the small bag attached to Foley's hip.

"It's my gas mask," Foley said. "It's the last class and I haven't opened it all day. No one's asked."

Foley pulled out her gas mask and simulated putting it over her head. She demonstrated how the oxygen pack is opened, providing a small amount of oxygen in risky situations.

Hypnotist Marc Bachrach demonstrated his powers in videos of appearances at local high school events, drawing hysterics from the younger students.

Counselor Lori Woodley has been at the helm of Career Day for years and said she's appreciative of the speakers who come in to share.

"These speakers give up an entire half-day of work to be here," Woodley said. "About 1,150 kids come through and get to choose what they want to see for the day. They get to visit five different careers and hear in depth about the careers, the lifestyle choices they've made and how education was important."

After the five sessions, the speakers gathered with school administrators and personnel for a catered lunch.

Marie Craft is a marketing director but works part time in massage therapy. Craft's daughter, a student at Los Cerritos, urged her mother to talk about her work as a therapist. Craft turned out to be one of the most popular speakers, bringing more than 50 students to each presentation.

"I didn't know what to expect, but we had so many kids," Craft said. "They were on the floor, on couches- I wouldn't turn anyone away because I love my profession and I wanted them to know what it's all about."

Craft demonstrated massage therapy on four volunteers in each presentation.

"We talked about how massage isn't just about relaxation, but I focus on patients who have rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and other medical conditions," Craft said. "You can take this job to many levels, whether you're in a clinic or hospital, a cruise ship, a spa- it's all very different."