Libertyville students explore possible careers

Rockland Elementary School students explored 22 professions Friday during Career Day at the Libertyville school.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade chose five different 30-minute sessions to attend and get a glimpse of possible career paths.

Some of the careers explored included nurse, acupuncturist, dance instructor, zookeeper, police officer, firefighter, mechanical engineer and chemist. Students traveled from station to station for the presentations.

Kindergarten teacher Dale List said she learned that if a student isn't introduced to a career by the age of 12, the child won't choose it.

"So we really felt that we needed to do something and expose children to careers, and this is how career day came about," List said. "Hopefully the students will take away some thoughts of what potential careers they can investigate for their future."

Rockland School Principal Jeff Knapp said the event has been running for 15 years and is one of the highlights of the school year.

"They just look forward to the different things whether they are petting animals, learning about careers that are different from what Mom and Dad do," Knapp said. "It's just a real highlight, and our committee's done such a good job finding diverse careers out there for our students."

Career Day was sponsored by the Rockland Family Association.