Career Day
Friday June 10, 2005

Career Day at Bucknell was once again an unqualified success. Starting at noon and continuing until the last bell rang, students were entralled by presenters from many different professions.

Sharon Brown, Ms. Virginia Galaxy, was a big hit! Everyone wanted to get their picture taken with her. She did explain though that being a beauty queen is a lot of work. This is a stepping stone to maybe a career in acting or modeling.

Mary Smith from NVCC Health Careers presented a video with Josh and Ashley of the Great Hospital Adventure. Josh just fell out of a tree. The paramedics and other medical professionals had to put Josh back together again. All kinds of health career people help us to stay healthy and get better if we do get sick.
Meryl Rukenbrod, a dietician from INOVA's Partnership for Healtier Kids, helped students understand what was involved in healthy eating.

Special Agent Shane Burroughs of the U.S. Secret Service explained how the Secret Service has two major functions - protecting the president and other dignitaries and investigating crimes, for instance, counterfeiting. The Internal Revenue Service sent Special Agent Ron Williams to explain his job. The IRS investigates crimes that involve money, where someone is trying to cheat the government. Sometimes they are also called upon to protect the president. Special Agent Joseph McMillan and from the Department of Defense warned students about internet crimes they investigate. There are people who lure and kidnap children through internet connections. They also are responsible for insuring businesses that supply equipment to the government are honest.

Mr. Jerry Hanifin of the FBI surprised the students when he told them that the FBI looks for the hardest workers and the most respectful ones to hire for the job. Selected students had a polygraph test performed on them. Can't get away with any lying here. The heart, lungs and sweat glands let you know when a person is lot telling the truth, as Vanessa found out.

LN1 Jason Blanchette , husband of a third grade teacher, explained what was involved as a paralegal in the Navy assigned in Washington, DC.

Gail Curcio of the Mount Vernon Gazette explained how headlines, lead lines, photos and text go together to make an interesting article. The Gazette publishes the local news as opposed to that found in the Washington Post. An article about Bucknell's Spring Fling was distributed to show part of the process of creating an article. Then Ms. Curcio had the students vote on a topic and helped them create their own newspaper story.

Maria Sanchez brought guests from the National Geospacial Intelligence School. These people are involved in topography -- the mapping of the world's terrain. They make maps and imagery from satellite pictures they observe from computer programs. The students observed several cities from the air including Washington, DC. They also showed the students how to predict severe thunderstorms and tornadoes from computer atmospheric imagery.

Captain Mike Garcia and other Fairfax County Firemen were on hand. The students got to see one of the fireman in full gear. She really looked hot.

Deputy Derrick Hill from the Sheriff's office brought a video about what a sheriff has to do. The students were amazed to find out that he thought his most important weapon was his VOICE.
Ms. Francine Lotson from the West Potomac Academy encouraged student to look into these special classes when they become eleventh graders. They specifically are designed to prepare students for careers. Dentistry, dance, fashion design, TV production, graphic design, occupational and physical therapy and law enforcement are just some of the offerings.

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