Yellowknife (Nov 05/04) - The threat of a $240 a week artist's salary didn't seem to turn off any aspiring performing artists Wednesday. Nor was it supposed to.

Ben Nind, the executive artistic director for the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) mixed reality-based facts with other tips into his presentation on careers in the arts.

Grade 10-12 Sir John Franklin students moved from session to session on Wednesday, gleaning knowledge about careers ranging from nursing, to architecture, to becoming a flight attendant.

Guidance counsellor Van Zwanenburg organized the Nov. 3 sessions as part of Canada Career Week, which takes place Oct. 31-Nov. 6.

While glorified jobs like being a pilot or a doctor were on the list of presentations, he made sure to include choices for Northern jobs that may come as a result of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline or in mining -- such as jobs in construction, welding and heavy duty machinery.

"The more exposed they get, the better the decision-making is going to be," he said.

Hundreds of Grade 9 students from both Yellowknife high schools were off to experience a different type of reality the same day for national "Take our Kids to Work Day."

At St. Pat's, organizer Susan Huvenaars arranged for students to shadow parents, friends or strangers in a career that interests them.

The mission sent students to the legislative assembly, various banks in town and the Great Slave Animal Hospital, among other locations.

At Fiddles and Stix Music Centre, aspiring musician Liam Baldwin-O'Neill got a taste of the music business in retail from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.

"I play guitar and I play in a band, so I thought it might be cool to see how it is to work in a place like this," said the 14-year-old.

He's still holding out for his first choice, though -- becoming a full-time guitarist.

"Ever since I was seven I've thought about pursuing a musical career," said Baldwin-O'Neill.

Students settled back into their current reality of high school classes on Thursday.