The Pike County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee kicked off its “Everybody Works” program at Banks Middle School Wednesday morning.

The purpose of the pilot program is to present sixth-grade students at selected schools with different career opportunities that are available here in Pike County as well as in other areas across the state and around the country.

Kathy Sauer, chamber president, said Banks and Pike Liberal Arts School were selected to participate in the pilot program, which will be ongoing the first Wednesday of each month.

“The idea is to bring professional and business people into the classroom to explain their career choices and what was required to get into their occupations,” Sauer said. “The students will learn about the occupation and, perhaps, have a hands-on learning experience related to that occupation.”

Sauer said the “Everybody Works Program” should motivate students to accept responsibilities at home and in the community as a way of preparing themselves for the workplace even though that time is seemingly far away.

“The programs will include different economic sectors and different occupations,” Sauer said. “Students will be exposed to occupations they may not have thought of.”

Brian Davis and Ryann May of First National Bank presented the program at Banks titled “A Career in Banking — Expect the Unexpected.”

The bank representatives outlined careers that are available in banking including teller, security officer, compliance officer, receptionist, bookkeeper, information technology officer, human resources, chief financial officer, new account representative and then vice presidents, chairmen, presidents, CFOs and CEOs.

“When we think of banking, most of us think of the tellers because they are the ones we see when we walk into the bank,” Davis said. “The tellers are very important because they are the ones that meet the public most often. They must be friendly, outgoing people. But, there are many other career options in the banking business and many of those employees don’t have contact with the bank’s customers. So there are careers in banking where you work with the public or behind the scenes.”

Davis said there are jobs in banking that most people never think of and he was one of those people.

“I never thought I would go into banking,” he said. “I didn’t know until I was in college what I wanted to do,” he said. “But, whether you like to work with numbers or you like to work with people, there’s a job in banking for you.”

Davis encouraged the students to consider attending the Business and Finance Academy at Pike County High School after they graduate Banks Middle School.

He took questions from the students and, whether they are interested in careers in banking or not, they were interested in the dollars and cents of it. Questions were raised about debit and credit cards, loans, ATM machines and even estate planning.

Tammy Calhoun, Banks resource teacher and chamber education committee member, said the success of the pilot program will determine whether it will be expanded to other schools.

“But today’s program was very informative and the students were very responsive,” the said. “We appreciate First National Bank’s support and Brian and Ryann were outstanding.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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