Learning At Lunch

Students given opportunity to learn about jobs

By: Ridley Sadd 

Doniphan-Trumbull staff is working hard to prepare students for life after high school. This year, students are getting the opportunity to find their passion and learn more about it through the new Lunch and Learners program, which will allow students to learn more about careers. 

“We started the Lunch and Learns as part of our system of developing career awareness throughout our junior high and high school. We included it in the ReVision Grant as one of the opportunities we planned on offering to our students,” said secondary principal Mrs. Michaela Goarake.

At the beginning of the school year, students were given a survey asking about their interests and what sort of jobs they might pursue after graduation. Goracke and school counselor Mrs. Nikki Sjuts used this information to organize Lunch and Learners. The two then took that information and scheduled speakers to come talk to students about the careers they’re interested in. This allows students the opportunity to ask questions about careers they’re engrossed in and introduces students to new careers they may not have considered otherwise. 

A different speaker has been scheduled for each session, and students are encouraged to sign up for a Lunch and Learn session they are interested in. The professionals spend approximately 30 minutes talking about their job and answering the students’ questions. This gives students an idea of what the job looks like and if they are interested in pursuing a career. 

“Lunch and Learns are opportunities for students to meet with people in the workforce of a career that they are interested in. They can ask questions and find out about what kind of education, certifications and salary can be expected for each career,” said Goarake. 

This will be offered to students in grades 7 through 12. Lunch and Learns will be scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the school year. 

“I went to the cosmetologist for Lunch and Learn, and I thought it was a great learning experience! I got to ask her questions about her personal experience, and it was overall great feedback on the whole cosmetology lifestyle. I am also planning on going to a florist one to look at different job options,” says junior Kayla Kennedy.