“Oh, the Places You'll Go,” said Dr. Seuss concerning the choices one makes in life, whether it is about colleges, careers, or about decisions that can take one in a different direction in a split second. At Brother Martin High School, our faculty and staff strive to challenge students and to provide them with the necessary tools to not only make a living, but also to make a life.
One opportunity to help one “make a life” is the annual Career Day held on Friday, October 20 when over 68 alumni were on campus to give insight into over 48 careers to the Crusaders. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors attended three 25 minute Career Day sessions hosted by Crusader experts in their appropriate fields. Students even had the opportunity to ask questions while experts provided first-hand knowledge about their profession.
Ryan O' Connor '19 had this to say about the event: "Career day provided many opportunities to help each student for their future. Throughout the day we were given advice and professional tips for choosing not only a career, but a vocation."
After a friendly welcome by Director of Alumni Scott Corrente '83 in the Library, these professionals were on hand to speak about various careers such as Broadcast Journalism, Polymer Science, Insurance, Medicine, and so much more. Many speakers also spoke about the importance of balancing a career with a home life. In addition, students were intrigued by newcomer David Brandt '82 from the Audubon Institute who spoke about a career working with animals as an Aviculturist at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Brandt commented that “it was truly an honor to be asked to participate in Brother Martin’s Career Day! My hope is that the students enjoyed it as much as I did, and that I maybe helped to ignite a spark of passion for the animal care field! I sincerely appreciated all of the help and encouragement from the faculty and staff, as well. It was quite an amazing experience!”
It was also a day for these professionals to reminisce, to remember why they chose their career path or how they inspired former students to go into the same field as they did. Orthodontist Dr. Hector Maldonado '77 reflected, “My co-presenter, Dentist Dr. Danny Palm '03, attended one of my career day presentations while he was a student at Brother Martin. Years later, he approached me one day at LSU Dental School where I have taught part-time for many years. He introduced himself, told me he was now a dental student, and said that my career day presentation he had attended spurred his interest in dentistry. Then, I end up partnering with him on career day years later.”
In addition to the sessions, other alumni speakers met individually with seniors to share in -depth information about their careers.
Thank you to our Alumni presenters for sharing their experience in their professions with the Crusaders.
Thank you to the Alumni Individual Session Speakers:
Tyler Abadie '04
Matt Arnondin '06
Ralph Aucoin '00
Jeffrey Beben '05
Robert Bostanian '09
Tommy Campbell '82
Tom Cancienne '94
John Catalanotto '99
Rene’ Chopin '10
Dane D'Gerolamo '12
Bryan DiBuono '94
Kraig de Lanzac '86
Ryan Goris '02
Taylor Hebert '10
Lane Macaluso '00
Najy Masri '94
Brendon Sumich '01
Leni Sumich '90
Click Here for Career Day Speakers
