ONEONTA – On October 14, 2017, DCMO BOCES hosted a successful mentor and career day at the SUNY Oneonta campus. It’s a Guy Thing invites middle school male students to explore career goals and connect with mentors. A similar event is held in the spring for female students. Based on employment opportunities data, aviation and manufacturing career workshops were introduced. The event opened with an inspiring presentation by the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Daniel Ketchum entitled Go For The Gold. Ketchum inspired students to challenge their fears and take risks. He also explained how good teamwork allows everyone to achieve worthy goals.

The breakout sessions included “The World of Aviation” presented by the Mohawk Valley Community College aviation team. The other career session engaged seven senior leadership team members from ACCO Brands who worked with the students to develop a dream board. The students completed a self-assessment document that will be forwarded to the career counselors to help them develop an academic pathway to reach their dream job. Other event amenities included a fun presentation on how to develop computer animations and the traditional Lunch Like a College Kid activity that allows young students the opportunity to dine with college students.