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JRES students explore careers

Most elementary students are concerned with sports, play and what it will be like when they move up to middle school. But Jennings Randolph Elementary School fifth-graders got a jump on their career exploration this week.

On Wednesday, they traveled to the Randolph Technical Center to learn about the programs offered there and work with high school-aged students to experience a typical day at the center.

JRES counselor Aaron Talbott said the students participated in West Virginia’s statewide College Application and Exploration this week.

“We want to assist our students in getting an early start preparing for college,” Talbott said. “The goal of the week was to help students to think about their futures and learn about post secondary education programs, including certificate, two-year and four-year degree programs.”

During College Application and Exploration Week, students at Jennings Randolph participated in a variety of college awareness activities, including essay contests on post secondary education or technical training and several college-related assignments in core classes.

Throughout the school there were also bulletin boards encouraging exploration of West Virginia colleges, universities and technical schools, signs informing students where staff attended college and morning announcements regarding the importance of post secondary education or training of some kind.

Elkins High School sophomore Taylor Currence said she enjoyed helping the fifth-grade students learn about possible careers. Currence assisted students visiting the the Electricity and Electronics career class.

“I wish I would have had this opportunity when I was in fifth-grade,” Currence said. “It was inspiring to see that half the students interested in electricity were girls. That field has typically been viewed as a career for men.”

College Application and Exploration Week is coordinated by the College Foundation of West Virginia. Students and families can learn more about colleges and careers, and submit college applications by visiting West Virginia’s free college-planning website at cfwv.com.

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