Columbine Elementary hosted its sixth annual Career Day on Wednesday, May 1. This year’s event was unique because it welcomed students not just from Columbine but also included fourth and fifth-graders from Rocky Mountain Elementary, as well as third to fifth-graders from Indian Peaks Elementary. Counselors from each of the schools worked collaboratively to coordinate this opportunity for students.

“We invite professionals from the community to come and share about their work in an effort to broaden our students’ awareness of careers and deepen their self-awareness, goal-setting, and commitment to education,” said Career Day founder and Indian Peaks Counselor Michael Laurent.

A variety of fields were represented including business, healthcare, technology, skilled trades, literature, visual arts, engineering, education, public safety, hospitality, military, and public service. Additionally, Longmont City Council member Susie Hidalgo Fahring, who is also a third-grade teacher at Indian Peaks, and Mayor Joan Peck, were in attendance. This diverse mix of industry representatives allowed students to explore a multitude of career paths and gain valuable insights into different professions. 

Throughout the event, students engaged with the professionals, asking questions, participating in demonstrations, and learning about the daily responsibilities and challenges of each field. By interacting with them directly, students were able to visualize themselves in these roles and understand the importance of education and hard work in achieving their goals. It also allowed students to connect their academic learning to real-world applications.

Adrian Pettigrew, third-grader at Columbine, doesn’t plan on becoming a realtor, but he found the real estate booth interesting. “They sell a lot of houses and it’s hard work, especially with only one employee,” shared Adrian. Columbine fourth-grader Elyana Bailey, enjoyed the farm equipment booth because, “The engineer had a cool toy tractor that he made and he told us what type of skills you need to build a real one.”