Schools

Editor's Notebook: Speaking at RIS Career Day

A chance to speak to the intermediate school students of Westfield about journalism.

This morning I had a chance to participate in one of the most enjoyable community activities I have a chance to participate in as editor of Westfield Patch - career day at Roosevelt Intermediate School. I wanted to share a little bit about the day and my chance to talk about journalism with some of Westfield's seventh and eighth graders.

Roosevelt's guidance department brought together 42 professionals who live and work in Westfield to speak in three classes a piece about their careers and the education needed to achieve the careers. The day is based on how middle school is when many students start thinking about future careers and getting prepared for how to pursue that career, including what they need to do in college.

During the three periods I was speaking in, I was paired with Lisa Goldenberg, the owner of Creative Kids, and we both split the period talking about our respective businesses and career paths. I focused on the education needed to be a journalist, what I do as Westfield Patch editor, what a journalist does in general and a bit on my book about young elected officials. All mixed in with questions, etc. I even had a chance to post a Tweet from one of the classes this morning, announcing that one of Roosevelt's classes was not having homework this weekend. Maybe not news for everyone in town, but important to at least one small segment of the town.

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The best part of the day was the questions. The Roosevelt students in the three Language Arts classes I was in had great questions. They were really curious about journalism and career paths and wanted to learn more. They showed a good knowledge of town and state issues as well, based on the topics I brought up with them as information I have been covering in recent weeks. The questions left me thinking on my feet and the students showed they wanted to know more and were engaged and interested. I have spoken to classes on the middle school, high school, college and graduate school level and can safely say the Roosevelt students were some of the most curious and engaged students I have had a chance to speak to.

I want to thank the RIS guidance department for the invitation to participate in career day this morning, and thank RIS teachers Matt Kalafet, Carine Revfi and Marilyn Toriello for hosting me in their classes. I also want to especially thank Mr. Kalafat's first and third period classes, Ms. Revfi's second period class and Ms. Toriello's third period class for the questions during the morning.

Find out what's happening in Westfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

RIS Career Day Participants

  • Dr. Lisa Ambrose - Lanci - Scientific Researcher
  • Alexander Antonelli - Architect
  • David Bailey - Architect
  • Andrea Birnbaum - Photographer
  • John Bolton - Recruiting and Sales
  • Janice Bryk - Therapist
  • John Celock - Editor of Westfield Patch & Author
  • Christa Clarke - Newark Museum Curator
  • Stephen deRosa - Medical Examiner
  • Christine DeSousa - Nurse
  • Joe Franzese  - Banker
  • Lisa Goldenberg - Owner of Creative Kids
  • Greg Hobson - Westfield Police Detective
  • Dan Hollis - Golf Pro
  • Anne Hoskins - Energy Executive
  • Travis Hudelson - Technology Sales & Musician
  • Michael Ince - FBI Agent
  • Michael Jackman - Film and TV Production
  • Maria Jakubek - Advertising Sales
  • Elizabeth Jeffry - Vice President of Save Ellis Island
  • Janet Keeler - Seeing Eye Dog Leader
  • Dan Kelly - Fire Chief of Westfield
  • Kerry Krawec - Personal Trainer
  • Kennth Lamar - Federal Reserve
  • Keith Loughlin - Town Councilman & Attorney
  • Marc Nissim - Landscape Architect
  • Becky Novarro - Trailside Naturalist
  • Marueen O'Connor - Pharmacist
  • Nancy Prendergast - Physician
  • Antonio Pugliese - Sports Chiropractor
  • Richard Re - Banker
  • Jim Ramentol - Architect
  • David Ritter - Culinary Instructor
  • Jeff Robbins - River Guide
  • Candi Schaufer - Pediatrician
  • Scott Schumacher - Transportation
  • Ann Marie Scripko - Dog Trainer
  • Jack Spear - NJEA Field Representative
  • Michael Teschner - Patent Attorney
  • Cara Townsend - Journalist
  • Candace Wicke - Conductor
  • Joanne Womelsdof - Interior Designer

 


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