Dreaming about the future is a cherished childhood pastime, whether children imagine becoming a firefighter, a sports star, a doctor, or a pilot. At Lake Oconee Academy, counselors dedicate themselves to nurturing these dreams, helping students explore career possibilities. Recently, students from kindergarten through eighth grade had the opportunity to engage with 35 professionals during LOA’s annual Career Day, gaining valuable insights into various career paths.
This year’s Career Day was particularly special as LOA welcomed both alumni and current students to share their experiences. Joseph Garcia-Carreras, an LOA alum and current nursing student at East Tennessee State University, spoke passionately about the nursing field. He provided students with a glimpse into the profession, including the necessary schooling and skills required to succeed. “I was especially impressed by the third and fourth grades — they asked really in-depth questions,” Garcia-Carreras said.
Another highlight of the event featured two young entrepreneurs, Knox Van Mol and Kaleb Mathis, both current seniors at LOA. Knox, the founder of Pure Pressure Pro Wash, a pressure washing business, also launched Pooper Scoopers, a pet waste removal service, and a renovation company.
Kaleb, who supervises the pressure washing business, shared their entrepreneurial journey with the students. Their presentation was particularly inspiring for middle school students, encouraging them to think about how they could begin contributing to the community before graduation.
A wide range of professionals took part in Career Day, giving students a well-rounded view of potential careers. In the medical field, students learned from a neurosurgeon, a gastroenterologist, a nursing student, a lifeflight nurse, and a nurse corps officer in the Navy Reserves. Other presenters included experts from various fields, including engineering, finance, hospitality, education, and business.
“Thank you for the opportunity to present at Career Day to the first-grade LOA classes,” Reynolds Owners Association Director Joseph Sama told LOA leaders. “I am always impressed with the students’ confidence, respect, and brilliance. Today was a reminder of what a wonderful job LOA does to educate our community.”
In addition to Career Day, LOA students benefit from Naviance, a college and career readiness platform that helps them explore their future career aspirations. Starting in fifth grade, students engage in assessments designed to encourage career exploration and self-discovery.
By the time they reach 11th grade, students have a better understanding of which careers align with their skills and interests. During Career Day, students used booklets to record their reflections on education, training, work environments, and the skills needed for various professions.
“On behalf of LOA, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for taking the time to focus on career exploration to jumpstart our students’ thinking about their future,” LOA counselors told professionals. “Our presenters’ insights and experiences provided invaluable inspiration, helping our students better understand many exciting career paths. We heard resounding positive feedback from our kindergartners to our executive director and everyone in between. Thank you again for your time and for making Career Day such a meaningful experience. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back in the future.”