A core tenet of the Corinth School District’s mission is to prepare students for college and career opportunities. This past summer, the district took a creative approach to expanding their students’ horizons with a middle school animal science summer camp.
While high school students are the primary audience for career coaches, there is value in starting conversations about the future at the middle school level. “My job as a career coach is to expose, prepare and connect students with any current and future opportunities,” said Kasey Atkins. “I firmly believe there is a successful pathway for each and every one of us. The sooner we get to know our students, the sooner we can help them identify what they want their future to look like.”
Therefore, the Wild About Your Future summer camp for middle schoolers was created to begin the conversation about their futures. Fourteen students received firsthand experience in the various animal science careers that are available in Mississippi. “We wanted to tie in career exploration with animal science--what kid doesn't love animals?!” said Atkins.
Local professionals shared their passion for their careers in such areas as dairy science, law enforcement, veterinary science and horse training. First, Kevin Braman, a graduate student at Mississippi State University, talked to students about his research on dairy cattle behavior and well-being. Next, Lieutenant Barry, Corporal Houston and Corporal Ralph, game wardens with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fishery and Parks, spoke about how to get into their profession as well as a day in the life of a game warden. Additionally, they brought their equipment, including an official boat, to the school for students to explore.
Then, Corinth High School teacher Rachel McCord and Shane Evetts, owner of Standing Oak Stables, brought Gilly (Welch pony) and Kate (paint saddle horse) to the school. Students learned about horse instincts, their personalities and how they are trained. The final guest was Dr. Gil Green, a veterinarian at Vet Med, who shared about becoming a vet as well as instruments used in the profession. Students saw an examination of Olive, the black lab, who was overdue on her vaccinations. Also, Dr. Green and Lainey Goodrum, vet tech, drew blood for a heartworm test. On the last day, students took a field trip to the Memphis Zoo.
In addition to being introduced to careers they didn’t know about, the students had a memorable experience. “My favorite part of the camp was the horses and the game wardens. The camp was awesome because it involved all the things I love!” said 7th grader Bradlee Hajek.
With the success of the summer camp, the district plans to continue creating new opportunities for students to be introduced to various careers. Job shadowing, local industry visits, military and college representative visits and future summer camps are all ways the district is preparing middle and high school students for their unique futures.
