FRANKLIN STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT CAREERS IN SCHOOL

Who wants to be an FBI agent?

Jonathan Cano, a student at Franklin Elementary School, thought that sounded like a great career choice.

"I like to spy on people and play spy videogames, and I think it would be cool," said Cano, 9.

Cano came to school Tuesday dressed in a casual t-shirt, jeans and gym shoes. When a teacher asked if he had a costume for Career Dress Up Day, he informed her that he was "undercover."

Tuesday was a day of free expression for Franklin students, who were allowed to dress as their favorite professionals. Students in each classroom were judged and winners received ribbons for their originality and creativity in designing costumes and props.

The event was held as part of Career Development Week, a five-day exploration of career choices sponsored by the school's Caring Communities program. Site coordinator Kristy Unger said the event allows students to determine interest in various careers and will generate interest and achievement in related subject areas like math or social studies.

"We want to expand children's knowledge of careers available to them, with the final goal being that they'll achieve in school so they can reach those goals," she said.

Gone were the myriad of future police officers and firemen so often seen in the past. In their place were the students who said they hoped to be professional soccer, basketball and baseball players because they enjoyed sports and athletic events. Others chose less-prominent professional sports like skateboarding and motocross.

Lydia Pratt, 12, combined two interests and dressed as a sports journalist. "I like sports and I like to write," she said. "You can't really be a specific sports figure or person, so I decided I'd like to write about them."

Kelli Foeste, 10, wore sweat pants, a Nike t-shirt and gym shoes to class. She said she had wanted to dress like a teacher "but I didn't have any dresses, and since I like sports, I decided to come as a coach."

But athletes weren't the only professionals students hoped to become. At least five paleontologists and archeologists sported big hats, tool belts and fossil collections, and a good number of girls said they wanted to be teachers when they grow up.

"So many teachers have been good to me, so I want to do what they do," said Jacqueline Evans, 10.

A large group of students wanted to become healthcare professionals because they "want to help people and take care of them."

Many students also were undecided about their futures, although they were certain they wanted to be rich and famous.

Elijah Phillips, 6, was sure that he wants to have more than one career when he grows up, but he dressed for the day in a veterinarian's garb.

"I think I won't be a vet all my life," said Phillips with great certainty. "After I retire from being a vet, I'll probably be a singer. I've got a great voice for it."

Several students stood alone in their career selections. Justin Maloney, 10, wants to be a baker because he enjoys cooking with his mother. Other students expressed interest in fashion design and even the ministry.

Teachers and other staff also got into the act, donning lab coats, disc jockey headphones and athletic uniforms in preparation for their next careers. Second-grade teacher Doris Mattingly wore a chef's hat and apron because she wants to cook more in her next life.

"I really don't cook as much as I used to, so in my next life I think I'd like to be a chef," Mattingly said.

Unger said the results of the event showed it's never too early to start thinking about a career choice. Students likely will change their minds several times before they grow up, "but at least today we'll get them thinking about it," she said.