Harvest Valley students learn about jobs at Career Day

Paramedics teach a student how to administer CPR during the Harvest Valley Elementary School Career Day May 18. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Students at Harvest Valley Elementary School in the Romoland School District learned about job opportunities and got to ask lots of questions May 18 at the school's second annual College and Career Day.

A variety of career professionals made presentations, including a Sheriff's Department deputy, paramedic unit, aviation mechanic, FBI agent, adventure camp director, computer tech, speech therapist, district attorney, karate instructor and more. Students rotated among four stations during the morning presentations and used a form given them to ask questions.

Throughout the day, the importance of a college education was emphasized by the presenters. Harvest Valley participates in the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness program. In the afternoon, an AVID assembly was held for the students. In addition, 10 AVID students from Heritage High School participated in a panel discussion.

"What we want them to hear at an early age is all that can be on the horizon for them, and that it's something they can attain," said school counselor Rosalyn Carroll, who coordinated the event. "Without college, a lot of these professions won't be available to them. We ask the presenters to bring in tools of their trade or some type of visual so the kids can see what's out there.

"Presenters are encouraged to tell them all the positives as well as the struggles. Then they go back to the classroom and discuss the event and write thank you notes to the presenters."

Sheriff's deputy Frank Rice talks about a career in law enforcement with students.

Students ask questions of Alvie Midlin, a motorcycle mechanic.

Charles Mosley, a tennis instructor, gives a student tips on how to make a shot.

Harvest Valley students served as greeters for the presenters as they arrived.