Career Day

Today we had a career day at school. Professionals from many different occupations came to my school to discuss their jobs. There were booths set up along the school hallways and in the gymnasium. The students walked from booth to booth asking questions about various professions and taking notes. Our assignment for the week is to write about our dream job.

Being only 12 years old, I really haven’t thought a lot about a career. I read over my notes containing a fairly long list of occupations. I decide to first cross off the jobs I am definitely not interested in.

I immediately cross firefighter off my list. I do not do well in emergency situations and am especially fearful of fire. Recently, I spent the night at a friend’s house. We stayed up late watching a movie and were hungry for a snack. We decided to make homemade French fries. We apparently put too much oil in the pot and it boiled over when we added the potatoes. The stove caught on fire and when we tried to put it out with water, which I now know is not good for a grease fire, the flames shot up higher. We both started screaming. My friend's dad came running out of his bedroom in his underwear, grabbed a fire extinguisher from under the sink, and doused the flames.

For similar reasons, including the fact I do not like blood and am terrified of guns, I scratch out emergency medical technician and police officer.

I also eliminate all occupations that require building or assembly. This includes careers in automotive mechanics, construction and carpentry. My mom is an interior decorator and sometimes showcases her skills at "home and garden" shows. She occasionally lets me tag along on these trips, so I can “help” her set up the displays. After several botched assemblies of lamps, chairs and tables, requiring her intervention and reassembly, I was essentially demoted to pillow fluffing.

I carefully consider the remaining jobs on my list. This is what I come up with: