Career Day: a career speakers day during which students hear about different professions, as told by real live parents. All students rank speakers in advance and are assigned classrooms. Teachers monitor each classroom.
This event includes the entire student body and helps to give students an understanding of the many career paths available to them.
Each speaker will present in the early afternoon for three 40-minute presentations to the SHMS students during school hours.
Speaker Choices:
1.
Industry: Tosoh Bioscience LLC
Atis Chakrabarti, Ph.D. – Vaccination Developer
Manager, Technical Service and R&D
Managing a Research and
Development group purifying the vaccines and medicinal drugs – how much fun
this is?
Vaccines are key to prevent the
onset of deadly diseases. Medicinal drugs are to cure the diseases. These are
administered to human body through needle injections, by mouth, or by aerosol.
Vaccines and drugs need to be more than 99.9% pure and the quality of these are
very stringently regulated by the FDA. My team members work on the development
of the methods to purify these vaccines and medicinal drugs so that the big
bio-pharma companies can use those methods. My team members use Chromatography,
a specialized separation technique to do this. As a manager I have to oversee
the project timeline. I need to manage the projects as well as people,
troubleshoot the issues, contact the top leaders of bio-pharma industry to
understand their criteria. I need to travel all over the world interacting with
the company management as well as with the customers. This involves passion,
commitment and time beyond a regular routine 8-hour job. Do I get fun out of my
job? Obviously!!!! Do you want to know more? Please come to my presentation.
Are you interested in
what goes on in a veterinary hospital? Today’s veterinarians do much more than
just give shots. With the use of much of
the same high-tech equipment as human hospitals, veterinary medicine and surgery
go to a whole new level.
3. Industry: Health Care
Danielle Callahan – Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner
is a nurse who has gone back to school for their master’s degree (after
college). They are able to take care of patients in the hospital and in a
medical office. The nurse practitioner helps people stay healthy and treats
those that are sick. Being a nurse practitioner is fun!
4. Industry: Film/Television/Theatre
Gabrielle Miller – Actress
Learn about the art of acting
and directing for the dynamic film and television industry. Gain insight from a
professional actress who has performed around the world. Do some acting improv
and have a chance to do a mock audition. Interactive and fun, get ready to see
if you have what it takes!
5. Industry: Entrepreneurship, Special Needs,
Martial Arts
W. David Medina – Owner/CEO
Learn what it is like
to empower special needs kids and adults. W. David Medina is the Owner/CEO of
Medina Kenpo Karate and a #1 Best Selling Author. Join our discussion on
women’s self-defense, special needs martial arts and volunteer and leadership
opportunities in our facility. Current and past students and clients have
represented family members of the Philadelphia Eagles, Sixers, Olympic Athletes
and the New York Mets.
6.
Industry: Government/Law
Edward J. Bonett, Jr – Labor Relations Attorney
Hello,
students. I am a lawyer for the federal government. My job is to protect the
rights of employees to join together to improve their working conditions. When
people think they have been fired illegally, they can talk with me about their
case. I also help settle disputes between companies and labor unions. The law
gives people a chance to settle disputes peacefully. In my spare time, I am a
baseball coach.
7. Industry: Health Care
Vinay V.R. Kandula – Pediatric Neuroradiologist
Do you want to be a
Doctor? Maybe a Radiologist?
Interactive session:
· We will go over various
modalities of Radiology: X-rays, Ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/CT, PET/MRI.
· Examples of various
adolescent conditions diagnosed with imaging modalities.
· Pros and Cons of being a
Radiologist.
8.
Industry: Higher Education/News (Blogger)
Charlotte Markey – Professor (in Psychology and Health
Sciences) at Rutgers University/Blogger/YouTuber
Do
you ever wonder what it’s like to be the teacher, not the student? I’ve been
teaching college students for 20 years now. But, there’s much more to my job
than just teaching psychology. I also do research on eating behaviors and body
image. These research interests have led me to write two books, blog regularly
for Psychology Today and US News and World Report, and share my research
findings on radio and TV shows (even on YouTube). Working in academia allows me
to always learn new things and to share new information with my students and
the public.
9. Industry: Acting and Directing
Therese Walden Murphy
– Director of Education with WCStudio for the Performing Arts
Discover how to become a
professional actor/director from professional actor/director/educator Therese
Walden Murphy. We will discuss the exciting things you could be doing now to
prepare for your future. Learn about headshots, resumes and how to get into the
TV/Film/Stage industry now! We will also learn some fun acting and improvisation
exercises! Therese opened her own acting studio in West Chester after working
on Broadway/Regional Theater/TV and Film.
10.
Industry: Healthcare
Michael Cari, DMD MS – Orthodontist
We will discuss the career
path and schooling required to becoming an orthodontist along with the
technologies we use and the skills necessary to be successful in the job. Some
discussion on owning a business and demonstrations of the science behind
orthodontics will also be presented.
11. Industry: Digital Marketing/Email
Rochelle Kelly – Senior Vice President
Digital Marketing is
used across industries to send messages, sell products and communicate around
the world. This even includes text messaging & email. We will take a look
at different digital marketing campaigns and create an email.
12. Industry: Athletics/ College/ Education
Jeremy Loomis – Head Women’s Tennis Coach
How
would you like to learn about a job where you’re around people, get to be
outdoors, and do something you love? College sports has been a lifelong career,
but I’ve learned it’s not just about playing. We also teach leadership,
discipline, and perseverance and we manage a lot of different roles all year.
Come to my talk and learn what happens behind the scenes of a collegiate
athletic program.
13.
Industry: Psychologist
Gregory Milbourne – Psychologist
Outpatient psychotherapy. I work with adults, couples,
families and some children, too.
14. Industry: Motorsports
Greg Miller – Race Car Driver
I will explain my experience as an amateur racecar
driver and provide an overview of the industry.
I’ll also explain what it takes to succeed as a professional at the highest
levels of competition.
15.
Industry: Financial Services
Jared Young – Head of Risk and Business Analytics
Your interest in math and science could lead you to a
career in financial services as a data analyst. Financial services companies
help people save their money, invest their money or buy things like houses,
cars and even couches. These companies collect lots of data and use analytics
to help people do all of these things. We also work very hard to stop fraud and
the people who want to steal the company’s money. We use advanced statistical
techniques like machine learning to help us. Come learn about a great way to
turn your love of math and science into a career.
16. Industry: Video Games
Mike Doonan – Licensing and Partnership
Specialist
After
receiving my bachelors of fine arts degree in animation in
2003 I decided to try my hand at video game development from a creative
perspective. I have continued over the
past 15 years to have worked my way up through multiple aspects of the industry
from my start in Quality Assurance as a video game tester at Activision. I have been fortunate enough to have been a
game designer, art manager, producer and product manager in the video game
industry on several high profile titles in that time.
My career has taken me across the world to work with teams in places like
Moscow – Russia, Ho Chi Min City – Vietnam, Kiev – Ukraine and London –
England. I have had the privilege of
working at companies such as LucasArts working on Star Wars titles and working
with George Lucas, LucasFilm and Industrial Light and Magic, on social games at
Zynga and on multiple mobile games across several companies including Glu
Mobile and Gameloft and, since the introduction of smart phones, on titles
including Spider-Man Unlimited for Marvel Comics.
I am currently starting a new role as a Licensing and Partnership Specialist at
Astro Gaming working with several AAA partners including 343 Industries (Halo),
Activision (Call of Duty) and many, many others.
The focus of the discussion I will present has a heavy focus on math, analytics
and writing in both a critical and creative way. I would love to bring that knowledge to
future artists, designers, engineers and programmers.
17. Industry: Art/Illustration
Ernest Norcia – artist/owner Norcia Studios
Finding the artist
within: becoming a visual artist
Why do some people choose to make a life creating pictures? I’ve created works
for fine art venues, commercial use, and portraits for individuals,
corporations and institutions. The images I produce grow out of the great
western tradition of realist painting. For me, well-crafted images can have a
strong impact on any viewer, and, they can make a positive difference in the
lives of the people who see and use them.
18. Industry: Professional Sports Team
Executive
Dave Debusschere – Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer for the Philadelphia Union
Do you ever wonder what it
would be like to work in the world of professional sports? If so, check out
this session and get to know a little more about what goes on behind the scenes
in the front office of a professional sports franchise. I have been a part of
the Philadelphia Union organization since the club’s inception ten years ago,
with my primary focus being finance and operations, including construction of
the stadium and team training center.
19. Industry: Architecture
Noah Tolson – Principal / Owner / Practice
Leader
Do you like art? Are
you pretty good at math? Do you like to build things? Are you creative? Are you
good on the computer? Do you want to make the world a better place? Being an
Architect is challenging and rewarding. An Architect uses “both sides of
the brain” and needs good critical thinking skills to do his/her job.
There are many different roles an architect can have, and many different paths
an architect can take to have success in their career. I’d love to share with
you some of the truths, and some of the misconceptions, about being an
Architect.
20.
Industry: Lighting, Business, Architecture, Construction
Billy Hodges – Founder, Entrepreneur, Owner
6 years ago I started
a local company doing global work in the business of lighting. Find out how I
built the company to 15 people, what mistakes I’ve made and what my plans are
for the future.
21.
Industry: Law Enforcement
David Splain – Chief of Police
Understand
how to become a police officer and what police officers do on a daily basis.
22. Industry: Theatre
Tom Quinn – Director of Education- Walnut
Street Theatre
Tom Quinn is the
Director of Education at the Walnut Street Theatre. A former actor in
Philadelphia and Los Angeles,
Tom has spent the last
9 seasons as the Walnut Street Theatre’s Director of Education. The Walnut is
the oldest theatre in America and the largest regional theatre in Philadelphia.
As part of his job Tom chooses the casts for all of the Walnut’s shows for
families casting professional actors from all over the area. Tom also runs the
Walnut’s apprenticeship program for students right out of college to experience
their first professional job in all aspects of theatre. Tom runs the theatre
school at the Walnut working with Walnut actors to create classes for kids and aspiring
professionals.
Tom is also a
playwright of over 15 plays- several having been performed at Strath Haven as
part of the Walnut’s Outreach Program which Tom runs.
Students attending
this session will learn about a career in acting, how to choose the right
schools to study theatre in college, how to prepare for auditions, what goes
into writing a play and what it is like to work in a theatre that reaches over
500,000 people a year. He can even tell you about the time he met Lin Manuel
Miranda!
23. Industry: Computer Science
Alexandra Detweiler – Global Director Microsoft
Alliance
Come learn about how
careers in Computer sciences are changing the world. What do Amazon’s Alexa and
Hershey made Twizzlers have in common? Learn about careers in Cloud computing
and the “Internet of Things” (IOT). See how companies and new technologies are
changing the way we interact with devices and each other.
24.
Industry: College Counseling & Private Practice
Diane Shaffer, Psy.D. – Clinical Psychologist
Clinical
psychology opens doors to many opportunities for employment. I will talk about
my role as a psychologist in a College Counseling Center where I do individual
psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, supervision and consultation. I will also
discuss my role as a Private Practice Psychologist who sees adults, couples and
families.
25. Industry: Genomics/Molecular Biology
Struan Grant – Professor of Pediatrics,
Division of Human Genetics, CHOP
There are major
advances in biotechnology going on right now which have exciting potential for
human health. I will outline my experiences, including working in places as far
apart as Australia and Iceland, and highlight opportunities opening up in the
genomics field. This will include what the career ladder looks like for
genetics researchers and what techniques are currently looking very cool!
26.
Industry: Physical Therapy
Josh
Green – Owner/Physical Therapist
My
name is Josh Green, PT, MPT and I have been a licensed physical therapist in
Pennsylvania for 15 years. I currently own my own physical therapy practice and
we are going into our 10th year of business. There are many avenues one can go
in the physical therapy field. You could work for a hospital system, nursing
home, sports team, or an outpatient clinic (like mine) just to name a few. Over
the course of a typical day I could treat a young kid, to an older adult, to an
athlete, or anyone in between. Everyday that I go into work, it never feels
like a job. I am able to help people feel better, have less pain, and get back
to doing all the things they have fun doing in life. It can be a very rewarding
profession.
27. Industry: Product Development
Brian Barrabee – Creator
I invented a household
product that is sold in stores. I was able to take the product from creation,
to patent, to funding, to manufacture, to selling in stores such as Boscovs,
Ace Hardware, and True Value Hardware. As creator of this product, I sold it on
QVC and at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Students can follow this interesting process and exchange creations about which
they may be thinking. This Career Day lesson possibly will encourage them to
bring these potential products to market.
Pretty much everyone has seen Shark Tank. This presentation will enlighten the
students as to how the “Sharks” proceed after the show is over.
28.
Industry: Nursing
Jennifer Capobianchi BSN RN CNRN – Registered Nurse
Running
everything from urban hospitals to rural clinics, nurses are the brains behind
great patient care! What do you need to know to become a nurse? Find out and
hear about what nurses do on a daily basis in a variety of settings. Come see
real life hospital equipment with classroom demonstrations on how it works!
29. Industry: Veterinary Surgeon and Scientist
Susan Volk – Assoc Professor of Small Animal Surgery
Univ of PA Vet School
Veterinary
medicine is an incredible profession that allows individuals to have an impact
on pets and people. Veterinarians are the only doctors educated to protect the
health of every species of animals, including humans. They also play critical
roles in research, food safety, environmental protection, and public health.
This presentation will talk about the many different paths to veterinary
medicine, as well as the various careers that are possible as a veterinarian.
30. Industry: Graphic Design
Erin Mulcahy – Creative Manager URBN Urban
Outfitters, Inc.
How do words and
images work together to create meaningful communication? How does design affect
our lives in multiple ways every day? I
will share an overview and highlights of a career in Graphic Design and Art
Direction for nonprofit, corporate retail, freelance, boutique and personal
work. We will discuss education, experience needed and how designers
collaborate with other fields. Examples of work on hand including products,
packaging, logos, web sites, for clients Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie,
Terrain, Pizzeria Vetri, Martha Stewart Wedding as well as small local boutiques
and businesses.
31. Industry: Media
Brad Segal – Corporate Finance Executive
Do
you like the game Monopoly? Imagine playing it in real life, except the game
board is constantly changing. I am a deal maker for Comcast NBCUniversal and
help grow our business by buying, selling, and investing in companies across
the media, entertainment, and technology industries. I will talk about how I
followed my early interest in movies and Monopoly to my current role at a large
global media company .
32. Industry: Educational Media
Anne Lund – Director of Curriculum and Content,
PBS KIDS
Have you ever wondered
how your favorite educational kids TV shows and games are made? Did you even
know you were learning from them? I will take you on my journey from teacher,
to researcher, to director of curriculum and content for a major children’s
television network. Hear about the role I play in helping kids learn through
fun and engaging shows and games.
33. Industry: Law – Higher Education
Tami Wible –
Associate General Counsel & Managing Attorney, Drexel University
Your goals are powerful and can lead you to an
exciting future career! I am attorney for a large university in Philadelphia. I
work on a vibrant, urban campus, which is a very exciting environment, where
there are new and different issues to resolve every day. My path to becoming an
attorney was unique, and my present job was my dream job when I was in law
school. I have a specialty in employment law and Human Resources counseling
(which relates to people’s work-life), contract transactions, and protecting
minors who engage in our programs at the University. I would love to share with
you the opportunities to practice law that may not be the traditional path. I
also will talk about taking opportunities – starting where you are now – to network
and to plan for your future career path. You may even get to help me resolve
some thorny problems ripped from the headlines!
Matthew Tirpak – Owner/operator of a local tree
and landscaping company
Understand the
responsibilities and benefits of owning your own business while still being
able to work outdoors!
35. Industry: Healthcare
Samantha King – Family Support and Education
Specialist, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
CHOP’s Gender and Sexuality
Development Clinic supports families and youth who identify as transgender and
gender expansive. While I do many things at the clinic, my main role is to help
support transgender youth in school settings. I provide trainings and education
to school staff, students, and parents about gender identity. During these
trainings, we discuss common questions related to gender identity – what does
transgender mean? How is gender different than orientation? What are the best
ways to help support transgender students/peers/family members? I thoroughly
enjoy my work and strive to make sure environments are safe, welcoming, and
affirming for all students.
36. Industry: Visual Arts
Debbie Morton – Art Gallery Owner, Documentary
Filmmaker
After making
television documentaries for 15 years, I switched careers and opened an art
gallery in Philadelphia featuring artists from around the world. Come hear about careers in the visual arts,
what drove my career change decision, and how I have made these unique paths in
the arts work for me.
37. Industry: Retail
Shannon Elliott – Owner, Harvey Oak Mercantile
Have you ever wondered how
the products you buy end up in your favorite stores? Come learn about the world
of buying, merchandising and retail marketing from an industry veteran who has
traveled the world sourcing product for Macy’s, Anthropoligie and now, an
independently owned boutique in Swarthmore, PA. The presentation will take you
on the life cycle of a product and give you insights into the dynamic field of
retail.
38. Industry: Engineering & Construction
Terri Micklin – Director of Construction, Wawa,
Inc.
Do you love your
morning Sizzli? Or a Sugar & Spice Latte? How about a soft pretzel? Before
you can get that yummy Wawa snack we have to build the store ! You totally want to hear about how we decide
where your next Wawa is going, how long it takes to build one, how much it will
cost and how a kid who in middle school was good at math and science got to
lead the coolest construction team in town! In addition, we’ll tell stories
about how Wawa came to be, how Abraham Lincoln is involved, and other trivia
that may result in some swag! One more thing – I’ll share how companies can
give back to the community, just like you are doing at SHMS for Headstrong
(hint: that may be a trivia question answer).
