By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Students at Raton High School were treated to a host of careers by the very professionals who work in those occupations Wednesday, as part of a career expo where students got a first-hand look at what some 20 plus careers had to offer.
Lynette Simpson, Councilor at Raton High said this was the pilot program for what they hope will be an annual event to expose students to different careers and occupations that students might be interested in. The students were allowed to sign up for six different workshops put on by the different professionals, while many students were heard saying they wanted to attend other workshops too but could only choose six.
A career is defined as an occupation or profession, especially one requiring special training and followed as one’s lifework.
Clint Henson, Game Warden with New Mexico Game and Fish Department told students about the many things he had seen in his time as a game warden. Some of which included the laundering of illegal game, or poaching stories and how the department goes about dealing with that issue.
Other students were treated to egg noodles and a sauce by Chef Cory Untch from Vermejo Park Ranch. Vermejo Park representatives were also on hand to talk to the students about operating a resort or hunting ranch, like Vermejo Park.
Some of the other professions that were on hand included Police and Fire, financial services including banking, accounting and financial services for retirement and investment. The medical fields present included language therapy and MCMC pharmacy and surgical departments.
Students were really wound up seventh hour said Mrs. Mayfield. Her 7thgrade business class talked about the day’s experiences and what they learned from some of the professionals they saw. In the gunsmithing workshop students had a contest to see how fast they could reassemble a gun after learning how to take it apart for cleaning. In the cosmetology workshop students were taught how to paint fingernails and braid and curl a mannequin’s hair. The graphic design workshop built a flyer while Raton Recreation director Jared Chatterly had the kids play games and the kids voted on their favorite.
Feedback from teachers and even some of the presenters was very positive noted Simpson and she added she was already looking forward to next year’s event.
