Contact:
Kelly Misch
Communications Director
Chardon Local Schools
440.286.0409
Career Cafe — A Lunchtime Establishment
High-Quality Learning Experiences are Essential for All Students
April 17, 2024 (CHARDON, OH) — New on the Chardon Middle School lunch block is Career Cafe, a career exploration program launched by the school's counseling team this school year. Through this novel Chardon 4E's initiative, grades 4-7 students had opportunities to learn about specific career pathways while they enjoyed their lunches.
With kick-off in December, Career Cafe hosted a total of four career speakers this school year — all of whom generously gave of their time as volunteer presenters and answered students' questions.
Career Cafe Speakers 2023-24
Taylor Smith
Senior Associate Project Manager in Security and Privacy Risk Consulting
RSM US LLP in Cleveland, a member firm of RSM International
To kick off Career Cafe, approximately 50 students were selected for the December 2023 launch, based on their expressed career interests. Hilltoppers in grades 4-7 were invited to bring their lunches to the Board of Education conference room for a special lunch with the counseling department.
This first edition of Career Cafe featured Taylor Smith OF RSM US in Cleveland. Students learned from Taylor about various methods of risk management, anti-hacking, and working remotely with a team around the world to create cyber-secure banks, hospitals, and other establishments.
Brian Neff
Assistant Dean of the College of Aeronautics & Engineering
Kent State University
Brian Neff spoke at the February 2024 about his career as a pilot. He shared that he started flying when he was just 14 years old and currently works as a flight instructor for other aspiring pilots. Students also learned about some of his flight experiences and travel destinations.
Anya Demshar
Veterinary Student
Wilmington College
Anya Demshar, who currently works with livestock and other large animals, provided the March 2024 Career Cafe presentation, delving into veterinary medicine and how her goal is to specialize in genome research in cattle. Hilltoppers learned about continuing education required to become a veterinarian, including the different pathways they can pursue (small animal, aquatic, exotic) and what they can be doing now to gain experience. Students also had the opportunity to learn how to harness a cow and tag livestock.
Alex Skulina
Aerospace Engineer
Aero Fluid Products in Painesville
Alex Skulina was the April 2024 Career Cafe guest, sharing with students what makes a plane fly and the functions of the different components. New terminology for students included thrust, gravity, drag and lift. The session included a video wherein students had the opportunity to see the 14-foot rocket that Alex and his team built for NASA.
Up Ahead
Special thank you to CMS guidance counselor Kate Collins for spearheading the CMS Career Cafe and to CMS school counseling intern Diandra Demetropoulos for facilitating the program and networking to bring in career speakers.
Next up, Miss Demetropoulos plans to gather data to assess the program to guide her planning for Career Cafe 2024-25.
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We Commit to High Achievement for All Students