The goal of school is to educate children to help them have the foundational skills they need to pursue a career and become productive members of society. When I was a kid, I remember career days and the opportunity to learn about various professions. I also had the opportunity to complete reports about jobs I researched.
Those opportunities were key in helping me figure out what I wanted to do.
Career days seem to be an opportunity of the past, so I was excited when I was invited to participate in the career day at Charles Warren Fairbanks Elementary School #105. I was asked to speak about my work as an entrepreneur. I gave my presentation four times for two 4th grade classes and two 5th grade classes.
There also was also an opportunity for students to participate in helping with the event. There were students, both male and female, in suit jackets to greet the career day guests and help get us to where we needed to go.
I shared with students my path from a classroom teacher and later school administrator to becoming an education entrepreneur and a book publisher. I reminded them they did not have to wait to be an adult to become an entrepreneur. There were other guests such as police officers, professors, and an engineer to name a few.
The best part was answering questions. Kids need a person in a job they can ask questions about that job. That helps them process if that job might be a job for them in the future. Although not all the questions were about my job, below are some of the questions I was asked.
How old are you?
What are your kids’ names?
How much do schools pay you when you do education consulting?
Why did you become a teacher first?
How do you publish a book?
Have you ever been in a commercial?
Can you teach at our school?
What is your podcast about?
How do you do so many things?
What do you like about your job?
I love that I had the opportunity to answer these questions. I was honest. I told them about how entrepreneur contracts work and how the rate could vary based on the task, but I did give them some specific amounts. Yes, I also answered the age question. After that question was asked, I heard a kid immediately say, “You don’t ask that!” I immediately diffused that by saying, “I’m 38, and it is a blessing to still be here.”
Honestly, it was a blessing to be a guest. If you work in a school, whether it is elementary, secondary, or high school, please consider having a career day. If you are in Indiana, I will come and be a guest if you would like.