Preschoolers typically want to be fire fighters, pilots,

teachers, artists or astronauts when the subject of careers is posed.

Jump ahead to eighth grade and you'll hear teens say their future is

in medicine (specifically, rheumatology), law or technology.

Students at J.C. Booth Middle School have had an opportunity to

explore career options and the life-style those jobs will enable

them to have during an innovative six-week exploration into the

adult world of work and budgets.

Since the end of January, eighth grade students have learned

how to narrow their career focus by taking a computer survey

through Georgia Careers, compose a resume, hunt for a job in

the classifieds, and be interviewed. Their math expertise was put

into practice through budgeting, car shopping and apartment

hunting on a "first job" salary. Last

week more than 50 professions and trades were showcased during

a Career Fair which put students one-on-one with individuals

employed in their areas of interest.

"It was pretty awakening experience," said Laura Kienast,

one of the eighth grade math teachers involved in the special

curriculum. "Looking at their budgets made them more realistic.

They are starting to realize that their parents go through a lot and that

money doesn't grow on trees."

Students were asked to look at what they wanted to do and

what it would take to get them there, explained language arts

teacher Joliene Price. "A lot of students wanted to be doctors," Moore

said. Using the Georgia Careers software allowed students to find

out more about their field of interest. If they wanted to be doctors,

what specialty? How much education would it take? What would

their annual income be?

"You can't always make $100,000 a year with no

education," Kienast said.

"We also want them to be aware of good companies to work

for," Price added, "and what it is that makes them great." This will

be done through reading and research with publications such as

Forbes, she explained.

Students will wrap up their quarter of practical

knowledge with oral presentations to their classmates who will in turn

evaluate them.

Career specialists such as author Richard Hayden, who

wrote "Contented Cows Give More Milk," claim eighth grade is

the ideal time to think about careers. He was contacted by Price via

the Internet after she read his book.

In spring, students will meet with high school counselors

who will advise them on their academic futures and whether or

not they should choose the college preparatory track or vocational

/ technical track. Many students will be taking on their first

part-time jobs this summer, Price added. "We hope they will put into

practice what they have learned," she said.

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