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8th graders encouraged to choose a career, not a job

March 18, 2010

“How many of you have to clean up after your dog in the backyard?”

Many students raised their hands. A number of students laughed.

This question was asked by Fox 23 Sports Director, Rich Becker, as he gave the keynote address to more than 200 students at 8th-grade career day. The event called, "Passport to Your Future," was held at Schenectady County Community College on Friday, March 18. More than 30 careers ranging from pharmacist to veterinarian, video game designer to mechanical engineer, were represented.

Becker, a Rotterdam native and 1983 graduate of Draper High School, made the point that cleaning up after your pet is not a career—it’s a job.

“The best advice I ever got was to figure out a way to do something that’s fun, make it a career, and then figure out how to get paid for it,” said Becker. “Every two weeks I get a paycheck, but I have fun every day.”

Becker ended his speech by reciting a poem titled, “The Victor,” by C.W. Longenecker. The poem talks about believing in yourself, keeping a goal in mind, and striving for that goal.