CAREER DAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE TEAMS UP KIDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES

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Story by Miriam Raftery, Photos by Andy Phemister

SPAWAR Engineer meets with students

April 8, 2009 (El Cajon) - Over 1,500 eighth grade students from Cajon Valley Union School District learned about careers first-hand from dozens of local companies during Career Day at Grossmont College last week. Sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the event also featured a disc jockey who provided music and an emcee kept busy by selecting student winners of a “passport contest”. Any student who had proof that they had visited at least five business booths were eligible for giveaways.

“There was enthusiastic participation, and there was a constant buzz from all the students,” said Doug Deane, business education chair for the Chamber. “I could tell that the booth presenters were very happy to be there as well.”

East County Magazine was among the participants on hand to work a booth, fielding questions from kids interested in learning more about what it takes to become a reporter. “What should I major in if I want to be a journalist? How hard is it to find story ideas? What if I want to write a novel instead-what classes should I take?” were among the questions we fielded.

Other students simply wanted help with questions on a quiz provided as part of the assignment. Participants had to name careers requiring two year and four year degrees, jobs requiring technical skills, and so forth.

Chamber’s Education Chair Doug Deane with his DSD Business Systems team

Deane praised event organizers Diana Barajas, Robin Hagemann, and Jennifer Newmann, as well as Chamber staffer Judy Dreis, who recruited companies to participate, and Mike Cully, who spearheaded fundraising and Andy Phemister who served as photographer. But Deane added, “The Chamber’s MVP award for this event is no contest, and goes to Marcel Becker, CEO of JCI Metal Products. Not only did Marcel single-handedly raise well over $3,000 in sponsorship money for the event, he recruited many of San Diego’s largest employers to staff booths.” Deane also offered thanks to Grossmont College and Cajon Valley Union School District participants.

“It was Doug Deane’s vision and “can do” attitude that brought this idea to fruition,” Chamber president and CEO Mike Cully said. He praised Dean for “incredible visionary and talent not only here at the Chamber, but also in the region.”

Participating companies and civic organization sponsors included JCI Metal Products, Grossmont College, San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, Paige Floor Covering Specialists, Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, Chapman University, Northrop Grumman, Bank of the West, St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Grossmont Schools Federal Credit Union, Westflex, Inc., San Diego Beauty Academy, L3 Communications, Propulsion Controls Engineering. Business, governmental and community participants manning booths included SPAWAR, San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, El Cajon Police Department, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, San Diego Beauty Academy, Cummins Cal Pacific, San Diego Humane Society, Biotech Consultant, Home of the Guiding Hands, DSD Business Systems, Grossmont College French/Arabic Coordinator, Grossmont College Nursing, Grossmont College AOJ, Grossmont College Counseling, Grossmont College DSP&S, California Highway Patrol, Chapman University College, The Honorable Charles Ervin, Wells Fargo Bank, Grossmont College Career Technical Programs, Chase Avenue Family Health Center, California Bank & Trust, East County Career Center, Cuyamaca College, La Mesa Driving School, Animal Medical Center of East County, Ad Mail Direct LLC, East County Magazine, C & S Companies, Channel Twelve-25, San Diego National Bank, Northrop Grumman/Continental Maritime, Applebee’s,Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, General Dynamics Steel and Ship Building, Excell Security, Inc.,XL Staffing, Inc., Nassco, Sam’s Club,National University, Marechiaro’s Restaurant, Project YANO, Olinger Dentistry, SDSU EOPS, SDSU Counseling, Legacy Corps, Bank of the West, San Diego Sheriff’s Dispatch, KGFN, FIDM, CH2M, Solar Turbines, East County ROP, and Communities Against Substance Abuse.


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