MILLBURN, NJ - On Friday morning at Millburn Middle School, the students began their day with an assembly entitled "What’s My Line" in the auditorium. This ice breaker began the opening ceremonies to Millburn’s 7th annual Career Day for 8th graders at the middle school. The festivities continued with a day of speakers, parents and professionals in the community giving individual presentations and then speaking with the students about career paths and answering questions.

The aim of "What’s My Line" was to allow the students to guess which one of their teachers and administrators at the school had once participated in a given occupation, some of which were quite unusual. Mr. John Rogers, Guidance Counselor at Millburn Middle School, orchestrated the event and would read a quote from one of the teachers that sat on the panel, which explained a bit about their prior job experience. Their previous jobs ranged from Cat in the Hat Children’s Party Performer to Primate Development Specialist and so on. After a presentation by Mr. Rogers, the children then guessed which job matched up with each teacher.

The primary speakers at the assembly included Rabbi Steven Bayer and Reverend Johan Bosman. "I decided to become a rabbi because I would be in touch with different people twenty four hours a day, seven days a week," said Rabbi Bayer. "I wanted to help people. The most difficult profession that I believe I have ever tried was that of a teacher." "When you choose what to do for a profession, make sure you ask yourself the question: What can I choose that will be meaningful in my life," said Reverend Bosman.

After the assembly, the students then congregated in their classrooms and heard presentations by various professionals in the community with careers ranging from doctors, lawyers, jewelry makers, dentists, actors and just about every other career one could think of. Some of the students acted as mediators and filtered questions from students to speakers. Over 50 professionals rotated among the classrooms to speak to the nearly 400 8th grade students about their careers. The students took notes on what they learned and were then asked to write a letter explaining what they learned to their guidance counselors.

Mark Langendorff , an eighth grader at Millburn Middle School said, "I think it’s a great experience for kids to find out about jobs that our parents and other people are doing. I’m interested in doing something in the sports business or maybe a lawyer."

The goal of Career Day is to give students an appreciation of the world of work and an outlook on their own futures. The focus was also to show the students that they may go through several different career paths throughout their lives and that it is very common to do so.

"I love what the school is doing. I’m not sure yet what I want to do but I know I want to do something fun. Maybe a pilot or a director," said student Ross Florin.

Kent Davis, an actor from the television series The Good Wife, explained to the students about his life as an actor. "It’s a very exciting business. At your age, you can even start right now if you wanted to, since you are all in such proximity to New York. When I was your age, I knew I wanted to be a performer, but didn’t know how to go about it. I had a lot of different jobs before I figured out how."

Eighth grader Julian Ritholz said, "I like what the school’s doing, because it gives a feel on some of the jobs that are out there for us when we’re older and when I’m older I want to be a physician or a surgeon."

Denise Worthington, guidance counselor and organizer of the event, explained her thought process on the day and the goals that she hoped to be achieved. "Kids come away being optimistic about their futures. Some of the jobs that they may pursue may not even have been invented yet. In eight years, maybe some jobs will develop more environmentally for example. It’s been such a success. We care about talking about not only the jobs offered, but the career journey."

Dr. Richard Brodow, in his 45th year in education and his 7th year as Millburn Township Superintendent of Schools, was also honored at the event for his outstanding service at Millburn with a plaque upon which his favorite quote was written: "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Dr. Brodow will be retiring from his service to the Millburn School District and he was recognized by both staff and students for his outstanding work within the Millburn school system.

Dr. Brodow thanks the students and faculty for their acknowledgements. Photo by Stephanie DePalma

Mr. Rodgers discusses the careers of some of the teachers. Photo by Stephanie DePalma

Actor Kent Davis discusses his career and current role on "The Good Wife." Photo by Stephanie DePalma