Most eighth graders most don’t know what they want to do when they grow up. In Dobbs Ferry Middle School, eighth graders have the opportunity to participate in Career Day. People with various occupations come into the school and speak about their jobs to the students. This year the people who came in had jobs in such fields as theater, law, television, and cooking. The speakers were set up in the eighth grade classrooms.
“I think everyone’s born creative; they just have that volcano inside of them.” said Dobbs Ferry parent Jace Alexander. Alexander is a director who has worked on things like Burn Notice, Law and Order, and Royal Pains. He has also acted in movies and T.V. shows. Alexander added, “Most jobs are behind the camera; the people who make it all happen.”
Jace’s wife, Maddie Cornman, is an actress and also spoke at eighth grade career day. Cornman said that to work in the theater you have to have great self-confidence, yet no confidence because you’re constantly told no.
Another speaker was Ellen Flaks. Flaks does improvisation, birthday parties, and runs the Dobbs Ferry Drama Club. All three encouraged the students to start acting. The trio agreed that the business is fast and crazy, but they all love it.
A fourth speaker was Audrey Pass. Pass is the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Fox 5 and My9TV. Ms. Pass has worked in producing television for around 25 years. Pass said that she didn’t always want this job; she wanted to work in theater. “People who would be good at this job should be creative, hard working, and tenacious,” she stated. Pass was voted “favorite speaker” by the eighth grade students.
Other Career Day presenters included architect Michael Carlton, “Coach Q” Fred Quartlebaum, Dobbs Ferry Police Officer Justin Kamke, artist and business owner Chad Levigne, Assistant District Attorney Linda Fakhoury, mechanical engineer Michael Rambaran, Fashion designor Jana Kos-Greenwald, Pediatrician Dr. Ellen Whalen, Ceder Street Grill Chef/Restaurateur Matt Kay, Dobbs Ferry Mayor Hartley Connett, Dobbs Ferry High School teacher Scott Patrillo, Dobbs Ferry Social Workers Patricia Clifford and Danielle Pecora, and contractor Matt McCormick of Matt McCormick Contracting Inc..
“It was really inspiring. Career Day really gave me an idea of what I want to do when I grow up,” said eighth grader Hannah McDade. Other speakers included the owner of Cedar Street Grill and an attorney. Students also added that they realized how they have to be prepared for the future and that Eighth Grade Career Day really helped them notice that.