Yellowknife (Feb 13/04) - Urging 13-year-old boys to envision a career that doesn't involve fighting raging fires or taking the controls of a fighter jet can be a difficult task.

Skills Canada took on that job Monday in the second of two career conferences for Grade 8 students across the North.

Over 200 girls took part in the Power-Up Conference at the Explorer hotel Feb. 2, and on Feb. 9 it was the boys turn.

"Grade 8 is a pretty influential year," said Vivian Gustafson, the executive director of Skills Canada NWT/NU.

"We're hoping this twigs a little curiosity, a little interest."

Local wildlife biologists joined mechanics, MLAs and police officers presenting workshops to students promoting a variety of career options open to them.

"We're encouraging them to stay in school and think about the future," said Stephen Sherburne, the boating safety officer for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

"I think it's important that everyone gets together with our best resource -- the students," Sherburne said.

The boys, from 18 schools across the NWT and Nunavut, were intrigued to learn job facts like the free college degree that may come with a military career.

For others, nothing could sway them from their dream job.

"I'm still going to fly. No matter what," said Adam Jensen, from William McDonald school.

The 14-year-old is set on being a fighter pilot.

After having their eyes opened to the myriad of careers available to them, the boys joined their mentors and headed out to visit job sites around Yellowknife.