May 6, 2016 at 4:01 p.m.
Careers on Wheels event gets students thinking about the future
Careers on Wheels event gets students thinking about the future
By Kayla Thomason-
The event gives youngsters a chance to examine vehicles and talk to adults involved in firefighting, the military, law enforcement, logging and funeral service, among other professions.
"They (the students) were pretty excited once they saw the vehicles and they could hear the vehicles," said Aaron Walker, a fourth-grade teacher at Central Intermediate School.
"It's very important because they don't really understand (a lot about careers) besides what careers their parents have or what's said at school, but sometimes 'distribution manager' that's not said a whole lot so they get their eyes open there," he added
One student seemed to take great interest in the Army vehicle.
"When I grow up I really want to be an Army man," said Matthew King, adding that he learned a lot about how the U.S. military uses technology.
"I learned that they use a computer to operate their machine gun and I never knew that," he said.
"It's nice to have Careers on Wheels here," he added.
Lillian Weinstein also learned some fascinating things.
"I learned something about the (military vehicle)," she said. "I didn't know they had really, really thick glass to protect them and I didn't know they could have, like when someone shoots out the tires it refills the tires, like keeps pumping the tires."
Her favorite station was law enforcement.
"My brother used to be a cop and I really like cops," she said.
Cheryl Salzman, firefighter/first responder with the Pine Lake Volunteer Fire Department, has attended other similar educational events.
She said the children like the equipment that allows the firefighters to do water rescue in winter. She also said she is frequently amazed by the rather deep questions the students ask.
"You'd be surprised, at this age and younger, the questions that these kids ask," she said. "They'll ask things like what made us decide to do what we do."
When the children ask her why she got into the profession she tells them she likes to help people. When they ask her how much she is paid she answers that she is a volunteer.
"We tell them we don't get paid, we do this on our time," Salzman said. "It gives all of us a sense of pride for our town, just being there to help people."
The students were also told they can start learning to be firefighters at the age of 14, if their parents consent.
"Anybody that wants to join a volunteer fire department I encourage them to do it because it is something that gives you a sense of pride and it's a lot of fun, too," Salzman said.
Students who visited the fire department station also received workbooks and coloring books about fire safety.
The students were very appreciative of the professionals who paid them a visit.
"Thanks for everybody being here," King said.
Professionals in attendance included CocaCola, Pine Lake Fire Department, Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home, Fraiser's Plumbing, Heating & Cooling; United States Postal Service, Forth Floral, the Oneida County Sheriff's Department, Rhinelander Police Department, Rhinelander Fire Department, Rhinelander GM and Toyota, Wisconsin Public Services, public works, Eastside Automotive and Martin J. Sauer Trucking.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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