January 2008 Issue
outreach
Members Make a Booth Stop To
Promote Their Professions
BY JEANNE KEASCHUK
Supervisor, Outreach Program
 |
SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING |
Career events sometimes take on the look of carnivals. However, if you look beyond the balloons, the giveaways, the noise and the various displays, you will find that important work is being done.
Booth events are a medium that allows information to be quickly disseminated to a large number of people. You can talk to a real person, ask pertinent questions and get the true details about careers. You can also be linked to other resources to further enhance your knowledge and understanding of a career.
In the front line at career events are Outreach volunteers.
October to December is the busiest time for career events in Alberta. Members from around the province have been called to act — and have responded with their knowledge and time.
“My experience over many years as an Outreach volunteer at career events
has given me personal satisfaction,” says Raj Rajan, P.Eng., of Edmonton. “I
get to be a provider of relevant information on the engineering and geoscience
professions in Canada, to both high school students and newcomers to Canada.
“
We promote awareness of APEGGA, make school students and teachers aware of APEGGA’s
valuable Outreach Program, and encourage high school students and their parents
to understand the value of science and mathematics in all aspects of life, regardless
of their career path.”
Dr. Rajan was one of many Outreach volunteers at the Canada Career Week in Edmonton. Calgary volunteers were at the Calgary Career Expo. These events draw thousands of students, adults and internationally educated graduates with many questions about registration. Staff from the registration department were on site with Outreach volunteers to offer their assistance.
In addition to career fairs, Outreach volunteers are at teacher conventions. Recently, Outreach volunteers were at the ATA Science Council Conference. APEGGA is a regular exhibitor at the conference and the Outreach Program is well known to many of the hundreds of Alberta science teachers who attend.
Science teachers greatly influence students in their science learning and knowledge of science related careers. They have provided hundreds of opportunities for members to do science classroom presentations and talks about engineering and geoscience careers.
“Many teachers are familiar with the Outreach Program. They drop by to express interest and gratitude for the program and related science events,” says Outreach volunteer Nick Malychuk, P.Eng., who helped to staff the APEGGA exhibit at the conference.
More Info
Help promote your profession
Volunteer for Outreach
Visit www.apegga.org/K12/outreach/toc.html
CUTLINES for photo (ATA Best):