Numbers growing for MLMS Career Day

News Herald Photo by Lester Muray Students gathered around tables to learn about career opportunities right here in East Texas. A first time company at Career Day was ETPOC Artificial Limbs & Orthopedic Braces fromLongview. Jim Chase, lab manager/technician said this field is expanding every day with 80 percent of their clientele being diabetic patients. Above, Sharon Reaves, practictioner's assistant and fabricator, and Chase, show Tori Dheil, an eighth grader at MLMS, the different prosthetic devices. Chase said prosthetics range in price from $400 to $2500 depending on the person's needs. Dheil is the daughter of Sonya Hoffman and the stepdaughter of Gary Hoffman.

Today was Career Day at Maude Laird Middle School with the largest number of companies to-date turning out for the students.

Darla Williams, career investigations teacher at MLMS, said the support has been "overwhelming" with companies calling at the last minute wanting a space for the event.

Career Day is designed to help eighth grade students learn interview techniques, get aquainted with business professionals in all fields regardless of what the student might be considering for the future and to build the students' confidence in dealing with adults in the business world, she said.

Williams said this was the first year for many companies to participate. She said she was very happy to see Halliburton for the first time. "Its not just the company showing up, but the number of people companies are sending to talk with these students and to show them the tools of their trades is incredible," said Williams.

This show takes a great deal of work to coordinate and set up, said Williams, "but it is worth every bit of my time and the students who help. After the show is over I will have discussions with the different classes that took part in Career Day to get their feedback on what they really thought was good for them."

Williams said 70 employers from the law enforcement, medical, public utilities, oil and gas, churches, financial services, schools and colleges and others were all represented today.

"I just want to thank each and every company and individual that came out to support our schools," said Williams. "I look forward to even a bigger turnout next year."