‘Touch the Future’ students hear it from pros who know
By JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer
POSTED: May 9, 2008
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The program is designed to help students narrow their career choices by giving them opportunities to meet people in different professions.
Geared toward eighth-graders, the program is a combined effort of the Copper Country Intermediate School District, MSU Extension and local schools.
“Touch the Future continues to be a big hit with students and the business community,” said CCISD Career Preparation Coordinator Joe Galetto. “It really gives them a sense of what their options are so they can make more informed decisions.”
Students were placed in one of six career pathways: arts and communications; business; management, marketing and technology; engineering/manufacturing and industrial technology; health sciences; human services, and natural resources and agriscience.
They were also given a card with suggested questions for the professionals to answer.
“There’s been some good questions,” said insurance company owner Steve Nicholas. “They might not be necessarily interested in insurance, but they’re asking a lot about what it takes to be a small business owner.”
Robert Mooney, a mechanical engineering student from Michigan Technological University, and electrical engineering student Alex Morozov, both of the Society of Automotive Engineers, drew kids outside the Rozsa to see a few of the SAE’s cars from recent competitions.
“The kids are very interested in alternative fuels and performance,” Mooney said, while Morozov agreed he was impressed with the students’ level of interest.
“They’re very aware of the fuel issues facing engineering,” he said.
Student Timery Labonte of Lake Linden-Hubbell High School said she was a little overwhelmed by all of her choices. There were more than 78 professionals willing to share their expertise.
“I’m just walking around trying to decide what I want to learn more about,” she said. The latest was a teacher or maybe a counselor.
That was music to the ears of Bruce Matson, principal of Barkell Elementary School in Hancock, who was wearing the hat of career professional and not a chaperone.
“The students who are really interested are asking the deeper questions, what it really takes to be a teacher or an administrator,” he said.
Trey Loonsfoot of Baraga High School said he was learning a lot during the event, but was still undecided. His pal, Tyler Rasanen, also of Baraga, was more resolute.
“I learned a lot talking to somebody from Portage Health,” he said. “I want to be a forensic scientist.”
In addition to meeting with career professionals, students also heard a presentation from motivational speaker Carl Olson, a retired schoolteacher who used magic tricks and energy to interact with his young audience.
“Don’t let good be good enough,” said Olson, unveiling a newspaper section completely intact moments after he had ripped it apart.
It was a good day, said Lake Linden-Hubbell’s Ashley Novak, shortly after visiting with a salon professional.
“I’m interested in cosmetology,” she said. “... or maybe I’ll be a veterinarian.”
Schools participating Thursday were Jeffers High School, Chassell High School, Dollar Bay High School, Hancock Middle School, Houghton Middle School, E.B. Holman School, Baraga High School, Washington Middle School, L’Anse Middle School, and Lake Linden-Hubbell High School.
For more information on Touch the Future, e-mail Joe Galetto at jgaletto@copperisd.org.
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com
