West Columbia, S.C. – Recently, East Point Academy hosted a Career Carnival, showcasing a wide variety of job fields by some of Columbia’s best talent. “We are providing a rich and rigorous education to the students we serve,” said East Point Head of School Mark Bounds, “Our Career Carnival, which is just one small piece of that, helps students discover their calling and teaches them what it takes to get there.”
The day started off at the elementary campus with Real Men Read for our 4k-2nd grade students. Guests included a judge, business owners, computer gurus, a stay-at-home dad, police officers, a photographer, attorneys and many more. Each guest chose a picture book to read to classes and then taught them about their career.
Students in 3rd-7th grade enjoyed in-depth presentations on a diverse range of career options. They learned about what each presenter does on a day to day basis, what education is needed to succeed in the field and what drew them to their career path. They also had time for Q & A. “Volunteering for the Career Carnival helps bridge the gap students feel between learning and career opportunities, validating their hard work in the classroom by teaching them about life in the working world,” said Ingenico Strategic Client Relations specialist and East Point Board Treasurer, Alan Buck.
Later in the afternoon, students participated in Careers on Wheels. Dominion Energy and the West Columbia Fire Department, EMS and Police Department brought their impressive fleet of vehicles and staff members. Students got an up-close look at a fire truck, ambulance, bucket truck and police cars.
Eighth grade students had the opportunity to go into the community and job shadow for the day. Job shadowing provides students with hands-on experience in a field they are interested in and gives them insight into whether it will be a good fit for them. Eighth grader Even Early shadowed Dr. Jiang Liu, a Chinese professor at the University of South Carolina.
The Career Carnival was a big success and East Point plans to continue it for years to come.
