Author Topic: career day (Read 4460 times)

MustardTent · « **on:** January 04, 2006, 06:06:52 pm »

So, I'm going to my sister's school to give a career day presentation... I'm a software engineer, but I want to make my presentation about arcade games or games in general.

What do you think I should do? These are junior high kids, and there will be 25 kids in each class.

I am doing 12 classes.

I could do some kind of contest in each class and then give a prize to the winner, but that prize will have to be x 12...

ChadTower · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 06:07:53 pm »

If they are Junior High kids they don't want to listen no matter what you say. You could say you are Jenna Jameson's practice dummy and still they're going to make fun of you and pretend you don't matter. That's what Junior High kids do.

Bones · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 06:18:21 pm »

Not if you present your topic with enthusiasm and cater it towards their interest.

ChadTower · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:34:27 pm »

Stingray? Care to enlighten them as to today's youth?

If you walk in there and you're over 19 years old they won't listen to you. Guaranteed.

SOAPboy · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:57:07 pm »

Take a laptop in, show em mame, and explain how it works, then explain what the mamedevs say its real use is for..

*shrug

Luxury · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 08:25:31 pm »

I guar-an-tee you that if you go in there dressed as a bear and pitch it as a viable career choice - they will listen to you. I wish I had become a bear when I grew up.

ChadTower · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:13:14 pm »

No, you'll end up with a:

TalkingOctopus · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:20:58 pm »

When I was in middle school (about 9 years ago), the guidance counselors had a career week. We had to take this really long multiple choice test that matched our "aptitudes" to a career. I took the test seriously and I got the following "careers"

.

Berry Farmer
Insane Asylum Manager
FBI Agent

So basically, anything you say will probably be better than the advice the poor kids are currently getting.

markrvp · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:09:33 am »

I'm surprised you also didn't have "Forest Ranger" on your list. Everybody I know who's ever taken an aptitude test are pegged as future forest rangers.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2006, 03:44:58 am »

going to a jr high school to talk about career day.....

you'll get them to listen to you just like they listien to the local cop who goes up there and talks the dangers of drugs....

or whatever he was talking about.......

MustardTent · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:35:37 am »

Yeah, I realize that this is going to be a challenge. Actually, I never really offered to do it, I was just told "Oh hey! Thanks for signing up!", and then handed an informational paper about it.

I guess the only way to get them to care is with some sort of prize. I think I could hold a contest of some sort -- but I have no idea what it should be about. Or what I should give the winner.

It has to be cheap, since I need 12 of them.

ChadTower · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:37:25 am »

But, you realize, they still don't care, they just want the prize. They're not going to retain anything they can't use to make fun of you when you leave.

MustardTent · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:39:31 am »

Yeah, that's fine. I really don't care to impact their lives all that much. I just don't want too much harassment.

Hmm, my wife's friend's cousin is Denise Richards. You think I should get her to talk to them?

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:43:31 am »

Who is Denise Richards?

MustardTent · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:48:42 am »

Chick from Wild Things, Starship Troopers, etc...

MustardTent · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:49:25 am »

Anyone have ideas for a contest/prize?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:50:10 am »

If she shows up in her 'Wild Things' costume (Not much in other words), I'll fly over right away. *pant pant*

ChadTower · « **Reply #17 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:50:28 am »

Is she on this?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #18 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:50:35 am »

Quote from: pkurby1 on January 05, 2006, 09:49:25 am

Anyone have ideas for a contest/prize?

A date with Denise Richards?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:51:08 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 05, 2006, 09:50:28 am

Is she on this?

Nope

But she is here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000612/

ChadTower · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2006, 09:52:19 am »

So, really, she would have no incentive to come talk to some high school kids.

More Cowbell · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2006, 10:22:04 am »

Offer them a free day off of school as a prize. The school will then ask you to leave the premises and you're off the hook!

ChadTower · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2006, 10:31:11 am »

Offer demonstrations of breast cancer exams.

nostrebor · « **Reply #23 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:00:20 pm »

I supply Sacajawea dollars as prizes. You can flip them out to the winner, and they only cost a buck

At my last Junior High talk I asked what profession in the construction industry would they like to be? One resourseful youth announced that his career choince was to suck the poo from porta-johns. Unfortunately for him, he was the butt of many a joke during my talk. By the time we had finished, we had established "Poo snorkeler" as the job not to have in the construction field. The *other* kids had a blast with it.

ChadTower · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:01:43 pm »

Nowadays you would get thrown out and sued for making hate remarks against homosexuals if you used the term "poo snorkeler" in a school.

nostrebor · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:04:46 pm »

Apparently, it's still OK in Missouri. You really should get out of that blue state and try one of the red ones

ChadTower · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:07:14 pm »

I was surprised the other day to open up my 6 year old's backpack and find paper Menorahs and a Dreidel in there. Apparently they're still allowed to talk about Hanukkah.

I didn't see a Santa, though, now that I think about it.

nostrebor · « **Reply #27 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:11:16 pm »

Only 24 posts to completely derail the thread...

My Daughter brought home paper stockings, Christmas Trees, Caroler tree topper, and a coloring page of the nativity scene. She also learned about the Menorah and Hannukah, but no projects for those.

ChadTower · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:19:23 pm »

I was happy to see they did some Jewish stuff. I'm all about inclusion, not exclusion.

Plus, my 4 year old's best friend is Jewish. When he found out that Santa doesn't visit her his whole little world almost blew up right then and there. We HAD to sit him down and explain that Jewish people have a different holiday so he wouldn't flip out. He still doesn't quite get it, as he sees the hole in the logic, but he's young enough that he still accepts things we tell him.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:25:18 pm »

So what is the prize?

Or is there no hope for this train to jump back on the tracks?

ChadTower · « **Reply #30 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:36:06 pm »

Hand out Menorahs.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #31 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:36:37 pm »

I'm not up with all this hip talk.

Damn kids.

MustardTent · « **Reply #32 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:46:57 pm »

Quote from: bosss7 on January 05, 2006, 12:25:18 pm

So what is the prize?

Or is there no hope for this train to jump back on the tracks?

There is always hope. Somebody here suggested a BYOAC token as a prize. I very quickly rejected that. Kids would just loose it immediately. And my tokens are rare and precious.

I'm at a total loss. Should I just bring crap in from work (I work at a major telecommunications company)? I can't imagine anything being even remotely interesting for these kids...

Games are really my only chance. Although, reading back on this, maybe I'm overthinking this.

Luxury · « **Reply #33 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:50:41 pm »

Just don't get bumped. That'll ruin your career.

Quote

% Edward R. Murrow Junior High School, Jerry is waiting outside classroom. Teacher enters hall.

Teacher: Jerry, it was so nice of you to come down here.

Jerry: I'm on next, right?

Teacher: Well, unfortunately, Mr. O'Meary from the Bronx zoo...

Jerry: The guy with the lizard.

Teacher: Yes. Well, he started feedin' it crickets, and the children just love him. And we're outta time.

% Hear kids from the classroom all say "Eww!"

Teacher: So can you come back tomorrow?

Jerry: I'm getting bumped? You're bumping me from career day?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #34 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:53:38 pm »

Quote from: pkurby1 on January 05, 2006, 12:46:57 pm

Quote from: bosss7 on January 05, 2006, 12:25:18 pm
So what is the prize?

Or is there no hope for this train to jump back on the tracks?

There is always hope. Somebody here suggested a BYOAC token as a prize. I very quickly rejected that. Kids would just loose it immediately. And my tokens are rare and precious.

I'm at a total loss. Should I just bring crap in from work (I work at a major telecommunications company)? I can't imagine anything being even remotely interesting for these kids...

Games are really my only chance. Although, reading back on this, maybe I'm overthinking this.

Why not get them something like an old console. SNES or some such thing.

ChadTower · « **Reply #35 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:03:04 pm »

Quote from: pkurby1 on January 05, 2006, 12:46:57 pm

Games are really my only chance.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #36 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:07:09 pm »

Because calling a Telco customer service number is like playing an RPG.

Go here--------------> Then here------
|
|
\|/
Take a breath and collect 5 crystals then ---------------- etc etc

ChadTower · « **Reply #37 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:09:53 pm »

He said he's a software engineer, though, which would put him where I was... and if a customer gets into that part of the company than something is seriously wrong.

Mostly, it's meetings, dealing with idiot coworkers, and every once in a while you write some code or test some functionality.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #38 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:12:02 pm »

Damn. Still reading the last 3 lines.

I think you're right (for a change). The dude is reading way too much into it. Just go in, say some stuff and get teh F out.

nostrebor · « **Reply #39 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:12:34 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 05, 2006, 01:09:53 pm

Mostly, it's meetings, dealing with idiot coworkers, and every once in a while you write some code or test some functionality.

Tell them all about this. They especially love to hear about idiot co-workers!

I usually end up talking about construction safety/accidents. They always dig that. Especially if there are fatalities

And read my post above again. CASH prizes are the shiznat

ChadTower · « **Reply #40 on:** January 05, 2006, 01:13:31 pm »

Forget paying them to listen to you.

If someone talks back, slap them, especially if it's a girl.

That will get their attention.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #41 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:04:20 pm »

you should get a fake badge and scare the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- outa the kids smoking in the boys room....

DrewKaree · « **Reply #42 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:16:57 pm »

Yeah, you seem WAAAAAAAYYYYY too wrapped up in giving out some sort of prize. If you don't think you can make it interesting, it'll come through, and that's exactly what you sound like right now. "I think they'll dismiss me so I want something to bribe them with for their attention".

Figure out some way to tie your job into computer games, MAME if you so desire, and go with it. Kids KNOW computer games. What they won't know is what might go into that game, the thing you want to talk about.

missioncontrol · « **Reply #43 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:20:56 pm »

I can see it now....

kids, this is pac-man.....

ah man that sucks where's the guns and hookers at?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #44 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:22:04 pm »

Quote from: missioncontrol on January 05, 2006, 02:20:56 pm

I can see it now....

kids, this is pac-man.....

ah man that sucks where's the guns and hookers at?

....and kids, this is Ms Pacman. Watch her gobble....

ChadTower · « **Reply #45 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:31:02 pm »

How do you blow up helicopters in this game?

Harry Potter · « **Reply #46 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:31:46 pm »

With a flower-powered rocket launcher of course.

ChadTower · « **Reply #47 on:** January 05, 2006, 02:50:25 pm »

Words that rhyme with my name make my foot twitch.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #48 on:** January 05, 2006, 03:39:24 pm »

Stop being so sour and dour. You aren't going to make us cower. You don't have that much power.

c64rulez · « **Reply #49 on:** January 05, 2006, 04:33:56 pm »

Haul your mame cab onto your car, show them the stuff, get them hooked.

Now,
12 x 25 x 18 quarters avg per kid = lots of dough for you.


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