Suffolk News-Herald

Retired Nurse Lula B. Holland said many children learned Wednesday that they should begin thinking about a career even before they enter high school. She said the first Career Day in East Suffolk Community Center served as a great tool for youths to learn more about nursing and many other &uot;ordinary&uot; jobs.

&uot;It’s best to get the message across when they are this young,&uot; said Holland. &uot;Their career choice may change 10 times before they complete high school, however, this type of event lets them think about the great variety of careers out there.&uot;

The Career Day was a special event in a busy summer at the facility. It was part of the &uot;Summer Enrichment Program,&uot; with Yukita Patterson serving as coordinator for the program.

&uot;This is our first career day, and with its success, we will hold it each year,&uot; said Patterson, a teacher for Norfolk Public Schools.

&uot;Many of our youth think being a rapper or basketball star is all they can do, but we wanted them to know that they can be anything – a nurse, a police officer, firefighter, baker, sheriff’s deputy, cosmetologist, and even a forensic technician.&uot;

As Patterson said, the world is out there for the children to make their choices and career day provides knowledge that could only enrich their future.