Career Day for Chenango Valley Students

3/4/2013 (Updated 7:18:44 PM)

BROOME COUNTY -- Some students from Chenango Valley High School had a little help on Monday answering the age-old question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?"

The program, sponsored by Hillcrest Rotary, sent 32 juniors and seniors to eight area companies. FOX 40 News was at Up Front Auto Clinic in Binghamton and Conklin's Universal Instruments Corporation to see what the students learned.

From mechanics to engineering, Career Shadowing Day gave teens a chance to explore their futures with some influence from their pasts.

At Up Front Auto Clinic in Binghamton, CV's Neil Terrell said, "My Dad used to be a mechanic and so did my uncle. I've been just in love with cars ever since they taught me how to change a tire."

He learned to change a tire at age seven. In Conklin, three students explored engineering at Universal Instruments Corporation. CV Junior Matt Personius said he also has a paternal influence, "My father's involved with engineering and it just seems to be a fit for me."

From grease and hoods to circuit board production, Neil and Matt both had dream-worthy days.

With a sparkle in his eye, Terrell explained, "Using all the mechanics' equipment. I think that's the best part. I feel that this will help me a lot."

Personius witnessed the importance of teamwork, "I got to see first hand how the workers worked with each other and how they worked with the equipment."

While the students had great days, their elders had a gratifying experience helping them out.

Stephen Valenti, owner of Up Front Auto, "I think it's important to give back to the community, and it's a way of saying, 'Thank you.' I mean, Neil's a great kid. He shows great enthusiasm for the job. He's like my hero today."

These students may not realize how much they helped their own futures today. Universal Instruments' Manager of Mechanical Engineering Damon Ashman was very optimistic after the day.

"We're looking for kids that are going to be future employees six to eight years from now."