Vol. 37 Issue 11 Feature

March 27, 2009 - Volume 37 Issue 11

Tracks staff shares career choices
Page by Alexis Hosack, jr.
Feature Editor

All nine members of the Cub Tracks staff have shared what careers they plan to pursue after high school and what it takes to succeed in those various fields. However, it is up to the readers to decide who wants to do what. The first person to go to Kim Isbell by the end of today with the correct answers will win a prize.


Randi Barnett News Editor	Crystal Crays Ad. Editor	Tyler Gean Reporter	Bret Hauser Reporter	Alexis Hosack Feature Editor

Bailey Myers Editor-in-Chief	Scott Sollars Reporter	Callie Umholtz Sports Editor	Valerie Weilert Opinion Editor

Evolutionary Biologist		Surgeon
Job description: Several evolutionary biologists work with fossils or DNA, or both, but there are also large numbers of researchers. They study the changes in function and structure in populations of organisms through geological time — and with the mechanisms, or causes, of evolution — the processes operating that effect those evolutionary changes. Where jobs are available: Teaching institutions, industries involved with development of products, and governmental agencies. Degrees needed: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology. Master’s degree, Ph.D. degree, and postdoctoral study can be acquired to gain a higher-level job. Classes to take: (High school) Biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, English, psychology. (College) Organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, biology. " I’ ve always been really, really interested in science, especially evolution. So this a pretty ideal career for me to pursue."		Job description: A surgeon is a physician who performs surgical procedures on patients to repair injuries, cure illnesses, correct deformities, and improve the patients’ health. A surgeon must also examine patients to evaluate risks and determine how to go about the operation, follow up on a patient after surgery to make sure the operation was successful and to monitor recovery. Where jobs are available: Hospitals. Degrees needed: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. Major does not matter as long as all pre-med courses have been taken. Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) is also required to practice as a surgeon. Classes to take: (High school) Biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, physics, English, and math courses. (College) Biology, anatomy and physiology, organic and inorganic chemistry, calculus, and English. "I have always been fascinated by the way the body works. The road to becoming a surgeon--or any type of doctor--is a rough one and takes a lot of patience and endurance. Saving lives will more than make up for the hard work."
Wedding Planner Job description: A wedding planner is a consultant, an organizer, an artisan, and a financial advisor. They help with etiquette, attire of the wedding party, advise on selection of silverware style and pattern, china, glassware, stationery, invitations, flowers, catering services, arranging photographers and bakers. Where jobs are available: This member plans on working for himself or herself. Degrees needed: Business major and a minor in communication/public relations. Could also get a wedding planning certificate. Classes to take: (High school) Any cooking/family and consumer science classes, and communication/liberal arts. (College) Management/hospitality, music appreciation, photography, fashion design or merchandising, and consumer studies. "I think it would be a career I would absolutely enjoy! You would never have the same people and never the same wedding idea. It would be fun helping someone on one of the most important days of their life. It also includes all my favorite things to do!"		Chef Job description: Being an executive chef may involve duties such as creating a menu, deciding on a theme for a restaurant, food preparation, managing employees, establishing and maintaining contact with vendors, marketing, and overseeing customer relations. Where jobs are available: Restaurants, hotels, resorts, or any place with a dining establishment. Degrees needed: Technical college degree. Classes to take: (High school) English, math, food science, and any family and consumer science and cooking classes. (College) Organic chemistry, food science, culinary arts, business, communications, culinary management, and hospitality management and restaurant management cooking. "I’ve always liked cooking because it is a learning experience every time. I want to become a chef because I would like to open up my own restaurant and be known for my cooking, and besides the quickest way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach."

Veterinarian
Job description: A veterinarian diagnoses and treats diseases and injuries of pets, such as dogs and cats, and farm animals. Depending on the nature of disease or injury, a veterinarian will treat it either medically or by surgical means. Another duty of a veterinarian is advising animal owners about care and hygiene of their animals. Where jobs are available: Veterinary clinics. Degrees needed: Associate’s Degree in biology, Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in veterinary medicine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine certification.		Classes to take: (High school) Anatomy and physiology, biology, animal science, physical science, chemistry, physics, and math. (College) Organic chemistry, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, biology, animal science. After graduating from a four-year college, you must attend a veterinary school to earn Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) certification. "I would like to become a veterinarian because I love animals; I will be able to set my own hours, and the pay is good."

Teachers
Four staff members plan on pursuing teaching careers, but who wants to teach what?
Where jobs are available: Schools. Degrees needed: Bachelor’s Degree in specialized area. Job description: Teachers take on not only the responsibility of teaching students, but they also have to keep up with education trends, communicate with coworkers, administration, and parents, grade papers and tests, plan assignments, and provide students with a safe learning environment.
High School Math Classes to take: (High school) Math, science, English, social science. (College) Physics, chemistry, calculus, supervised student teaching. "I want to provide a fun learning environment for students. I chose math and science because not only are they needed subjects, but they are usually considered the hardest subjects, and students need the most moral support in them. I hope to inspire my students like my teachers have for me."		Physical Education Classes To Take: (High school) Math, physical science, social science. (College) Kinesiology, exercise physiology, health and wellness, activity courses, professional education courses, supervised student teaching. "I would like to become a physical education teacher because I enjoy working with kids and having my summers off would be great."

Elementary School Classes to take: (High school) Math, English, science, psychology/sociology, and history. (College) Mathematics, physical science, social science, music, art, literature, philosophy of education, psychology of learning, and supervised student teaching. "I have always wanted to be a teacher since my third grade year. I would like to be able to teach little kids so that way they can hopefully go on to be successful in life."		High school or College English Classes to take: (High school) English I-IV. (College) English grammar and usage, world masterpieces, American literature, British literature, advanced composition, intro to writing about literature, English linguistics, history of the English language, Shakespeare, explorations in education, developmental psychology, educational psychology, techniques for teaching English in middle and secondary schools, middle and secondary reading, supervised student teaching. "I want to become an English teacher because teachers can make a huge difference in a student’s life. English is something that is important in every aspect of life."

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