SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Nichols-Lawson Middle School career tech teacher Brett Fleaman regularly welcomes professionals from many fields of expertise into her classes in hopes of giving her students a glimpse of possible future career choices.
According to Fleaman, presentations from professionals are essential to her curriculum. “Getting speakers to come in the classroom is very important for the kids in this class,” said Fleaman. “It’s never too early to get the kids thinking about their futures.”
During presentations, students are given handouts that require them to stay focused and engaged with the speakers.
On Tuesday, SylacaugaNews.com managing editor Michael Brannon and multimedia reporter Jeremy Law were given the opportunity to share their careers with Fleaman’s students from multiple classes throughout the day. Topics ranged from starting salaries to why the two journalists chose their career paths and their ultimate career goals. Students quickly learned there is more to a journalist than a pen and a notepad.
Brannon and Law walked students through a typical day in the life of a reporter, both the good and the bad. “We love of our careers so we want to share the positives,” said Brannon. “But of course, there are a few negatives and it’s important to share those so students can make informed decisions about their futures.”
Both were also able to share experiences in television reporting as the two have backgrounds in the broadcast news industry.
After presentations, students participated in a Q&A session where any questions they had could be answered. Following the Q&A students were asked if they could see themselves taking on the role of a journalist. Many of them said they can.
“It was great to come out and speak to these students, and see so many kids get excited about journalism and reporting,” said Law. “Hopefully some of the students will pursue a career in the field and get to enjoy every work day like I do.”
Jeremy Law for SylacaugaNews.com | © 2017, SylacaugaNews.com/Marble City Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
