Students find out what their parents do in the workplace
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Nov 10/00) - Grade 9 students don't normally account for much of the territorial workforce, but they made a dent in the statistics last Wednesday.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment endorses Take Our Kids to Work Day because it gives students a window on the future, according to Minister Jake Ootes.
Thomas Simpson students T.J. Bradbury and Jarret Hardisty agreed that they would rather spend a day on the job than in the classroom.
They felt that way even in spite of having to stay in the workplace until 5 p.m. rather than a 3:45 p.m. school dismissal.
"It's a good trade-off," said Jarret, who was at the Housing Corporation for the day.
Apparently there were some upsides to their job sites. Both had access to computers and made the most of their opportunity to "surf the Net."
Jarret ranked his time on a computer, which allowed him to print off copies of BMX paraphernalia, as the highlight of his day.
He did learn a few things from the overall exercise.
He became quite familiar with the paper shredder and binding machine, putting together Housing Corporation booklets under the watchful eye of Larry Campbell. He also perused some sets of blueprints, which he has seen more than once over the years.
"I've done some of this before," said Jarret, who's contemplating a career as a pilot or a river raft guide.
Over at the Nahanni National Park office, T.J. Bradbury was straining to identify a single challenge involved in his mom Zina's occupation as finance administration officer.
"I learned my mom has an easy job," he said, smiling as he leaned back in his chair.
"It was a continuous break throughout the day."
"That's because you didn't really do my job," his mom shot back.
She added that she wished his father, Troy, a linesman for the Power Corporation, hadn't been out of town that day so T.J. would have been forced to do some physical labour.
Down the road at the Deh Cho First Nations office, Jasmine Hardisty was engaged in some physical labour of sorts. In the morning, she helped her mom, Dora Tsetso, prepare for a luncheon.
Besides that she also interviewed her mom about her job as finance manager.
"I didn't know she has control over the cheques," Jasmine said afterwards.
Jasmine said she would consider taking a similar job for herself.
"But I wouldn't make it a full-life career. I want to explore my options," she explained.
Campbell said that's what the day was really all about.
"It gives them an inside view of the opportunities that are out there," he said.
