11/06/09 - Chester County
You have heard of career fairs,
but one Chester County school puts a new spin on the age-old
event. Chester County High School hosted an event called "On My
Own" for its seniors.
At the event, each high school
senior is assigned a job, marital status and number of
children. Then, they are taken through a class on budgeting and
check writing. Christian Tidwell, a senior, said the event is a
real eye-opener. "It made me think, 'Wow. My dad does this
every month to support me and my brothers."
Booths set up in the high
school's gymnasium show students the expenses required in adult
life ranging from shelter, groceries, clothing and
entertainment. Tidwell said, "It made me think a lot about
what's important whenever I spend my money. If I have to have
this, I don't need this or I can just get it some other time.
Just think of the needs and wants in my life."
Lee Pipkin, a job specialist
working with the school and organizer of the event, said, "We
want them to understand what it's really like to be out in the
real world, what bills they have to pay, insurance and child
care. Some of these things they don't think about while they're
in school."
If you are interested in having
an event like this at your local high school, just contact your
local U.T. Agricultural Extension Agent. They are who hosted
the event at Chester County High School.