By Jeanie Groh

jeanie.groh@salisburypost.com

Adults start asking children what they want to be when they grow up almost as soon as they learn to talk, but rarely do the grownups offer the necessary guidance for how to get there.

A.L. Brown High School is trying to change that by hosting its first school-wide career fair.

“People in Kannapolis used to go work at the mill, but that’s not an option any more,” Kenneth Bowen, A.L. Brown principal, said.

On Friday, each A.L. Brown student chose four 40-minute sessions with one of 52 professionals from a wide variety of industries, including banking, farming, health care, real estate, engineering and more.

During these sessions the professionals talked about their careers, a typical day at work and the educational, health and professional credentials needed to secure a position in their field. The students were also allowed time to ask questions.

“It’s important for several reasons,” Bowen said.

Not only does the career fair help students who are unsure of what career path they want to take, but it also helps those who do know what they want to do decide which classes to register for next year.

“Our students are so diverse,” added teacher Ericka Lott, who organized the event.

Exposure is also important.

Having a large range of presenters gave each child someone to connect with, she said.

“I think it’s great to let them see what opportunities are available to them,” said presenter Lyndsey Pelusi, the curriculum coordinator for Fred L. Wilson Elementary School.

She added that it’s helpful for the students to see other people from the community in these roles.

Pelusi said her goal was to shed light on the education field.

“I started out as a teacher,” she said. “This is a great profession to go into.”

United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Prouty talked to a group of students in the school’s media center. He discussed the health requirements and benefits of joining the Air Force, as well as the other branches of the military and their requirements.

David Pennington, an A.L. Brown junior, attended the political, law enforcement and automotive repair sessions.

“It’s really showing me all it takes to be in a certain job,” he said. “There’s a lot of things they go through that you don’t think about.”