David Starr Jordan Middle School held Career Day on Thursday, November 8. Students in sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grades rotated through three assemblies, each focused on careers in the medical and media fields and different jobs they could have working for the City.
“The goal of this event is to expose the students to careers in media, the medical field and options with the City of Burbank,” commented Jordan Career Day coordinator Linda Walmsley. “They will learn about the specifics of a variety of jobs, the compensation possibilities, the education needed to be successful in the field and the contributions each worker makes to the community.”
Disney animator Amy Smeed, studio grip Chris Jampol, actor Jason Huber, VP Marketing for Amazon Film J.D. Black and VP Technical Service for Warner Bros. Lily LaRocco talked about careers in media and the film industry.
Solid Waste Supervisor Jeffrey Musich, Fire Captain Ken Hultgren, police officers Angela Burrows and Karel Castro, lifeguard Michael Singhannate and Community Development Director Ron Takigucki all spoke about their respective careers with the City of Burbank.
Careers in the medical field were discussed by people from Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center, including Chief Operations Officer Darin Gross, Information Technology Director Alexander Nury, Director of Hospitality Services Carol Granados and nurses Nancy Loporchio and Paula Marbach.
“I especially liked the questions that the students had for the participants,” commented Walmsley. “They were focused and relevant to their careers. Many of the students were excited to know that the actual animator of Frozen and Wreck It Ralph was talking with them.”
“The refuse collector was a big hit with the kids because he was able to get them to understand the impact his career had on the health and safety of Burbank. There were participants (a nurse, a lifeguard and a police cadet) that were alumni of Jordan. That was a great connection to doing well in school and success in the world of work.”
