Harding Middle School students took a break from their regular school day to learn about career opportunities from several community members.

During this week’s Career Day, students were introduced to a variety of industries, ranging from health care and media to nonprofits. One class even got a hands-on introduction to being an electrician.

Price Electric’s Dan Weekly, safety officer, and Bailey Staton, HR generalist, invited students to bend conduit, and gave them a basic overview of the field.

“One of the biggest skills anyone could have going into the trades is learning how to use tools,” said Dan Weekly, safety officer at Price Electric. “There’s no shortage of work for electricians.”

This experience is important for students at this age as they begin to consider what they will do after high school.

“Career Day gives middle schoolers exposure to a variety of careers that they’re not normally exposed to or know about,” explained Jen Novotny, sixth grade counselor at Harding. “At the middle school level, it’s all about exposure. Career speakers emphasize job skills needed that translate across careers and share how having a passion for what one does is so important.”

Staton had some advice for the sixth graders as they begin considering their career choices.

“Your career is something you’ll do until you’re 60,” she said. “Find something you want to do everyday that makes you feel like you’re making a difference.”

See more photos from Harding’s Career Day.