Newberry Students Explore Career Paths During Lunch and Learn Sessions
NEWBERRY — At Newberry Middle School, students are getting a unique chance to explore different career options through a program called Lunch and Learn. This initiative started last school year and focuses specifically on helping eighth graders discover what paths they might want to take after high school.
Career Guidance Comes to Life
The idea for the Lunch and Learn sessions came from Guidance Counselor Jeanette Cunningham. She realized that many students entering middle school may not have a clear understanding of what various jobs entail or what careers they might be interested in. “Coming into middle school, students might not always know what career they’re interested in or have information about careers in general,” Cunningham explained.
To tackle this issue, Cunningham started incorporating career-related lessons into classroom activities. Each month, counselors visit classrooms to teach students about different career topics. South Carolina requires schools to provide at least one career lesson during the school year, but schools can choose to offer more.
Community Involvement
One of the highlights of the Lunch and Learn program is that community speakers are invited to share their career experiences during the eighth-grade lunch period. These speakers represent a wide range of professions including CDL drivers, firefighters, and fashion designers. This variety gives students an opportunity to hear from people in careers they may not have previously considered.
Cunningham often walks around the cafeteria to spark interest among the students, inviting them at their lunch tables to participate. “Up to 25 kids can come, and they hear from someone who explains how they got to their career, whether they went to college, attended trade school, or jumped right into the workforce,” she said. The speakers also share information about ongoing training and the skills needed in their professions.
Motivation for the Future
The ultimate goal of the Lunch and Learn sessions is to motivate students to think about their futures actively. Cunningham emphasizes that all careers hold value regardless of varying education levels. “It’s equally important for students to come to school and pay attention,” she noted. She wants students to be aware that they should stay focused and driven during their middle school years. “If they have a career they want to do, they should not feel limited by their past choices or lack of interest.”
Call for Future Speakers
In an effort to continue expanding the program, Newberry Middle School is open to inviting more community members as speakers. Anyone interested in sharing their career journey during a Lunch and Learn session is encouraged to reach out to the school. Those who want to participate can call the school at 803-321-2640 or send an email to [email protected].
A Bright Future Ahead
The initiative has not only opened students’ eyes to careers they may not have thought about but has also fostered an environment where they can learn from real-world examples. By helping local middle school students explore a variety of career options, the Lunch and Learn program is paving the way for a brighter future, encouraging them to take charge of their education and career aspirations.
