HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- What do you want to be when you grow up? For many of us, that question conjures memories of childhood dreams, and for others it's a question never fully answered.
Senior Master Sgt. Tony Romero, 482nd Fighter Wing Operations Planner for Compliance and Readiness from Homestead ARB visited Manderin Lakes K-8 Academy to help students contemplate this question during career day, May 18.
"When I was a kid, we didn't have career day," explained Romero to the seventh grade class. "But I was lucky to have an inspirational gift to put me on the right path."
In a classroom of aspiring singers, dancers, actors and professional athletes, Romero offered a look at career options in the Air Force that students have not been exposed to.
"The importance of career day is to expose our students to their potential futures, to ideas and careers they wouldn't normally be exposed to," said Ms. Natasha Deveaux, Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy upper academy counselor.
Romero posed the 'What do you want to do when you grow up?' question to five sixth and seventh grade classes. While some knew, and others had no idea, he offered this advice:
"You like to play video games, you like to play football, you like to sing, what is the common denominator for all the things you like to do - education! Everything builds on itself. What you do today will help you later on. That is why it is important to do your best in all that you do," said Romero.
While some classes were brimming with enthusiastic questions and others with timid observation, all the students were posed with a broader idea of career aspirations beyond the celebrity dreams exemplified by television. This is thanks in part to a state-wide program, Career Choices, which is designed to expose students from seventh grade and above with career options available to them.
For those interested in participating in future career days at Manderin Lakes K-8 Academy, please contact Ms. Natasha Deveaux at 305-257-0327.