Cherry Point Hosts Students For Job Shadow Day (February 12, 2011) |
| | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (MCN - Feb. 2, 2011) — As part of National Groundhog Job Shadow Day, students from multiple Craven County schools came to Cherry Point Feb. 2 for a firsthand look at the various vocations aboard the air station. | The students shadowed military and civilian professionals with Fleet Readiness Center East, Marine Transport Squadron 1, public affairs, the Naval health clinic, combat camera and the station's Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
“Cherry Point is the ultimate venue because of the multitude of careers it has,” explained Chris E. Bailey, director of career and technical education for Craven County schools. “Our goal in all of this is to help a student become career and college ready by the time they graduate.”
Additionally, Bailey said the experience gives students, who don't necessarily have a military affiliation, a broader outlook of what is available at the air station.
“It's very valuable,” Bailey said, “because the local community and the Marine Corps are so intertwined.” | |  Cpl. Bruce D. Barner, left, a search and rescue crew chief with Marine Transport Squadron 1, demonstrates the hoisting capabilities of the HH-46E search and rescue helicopter to two Craven County high school students at Cherry Point Feb. 2, 2011. Richard Bradford, right, a senior at Havelock High School, and Mathew Price, a junior at New Bern High School, visited the air station with several other Craven County students, as part of National Groundhog Job Shadow Day. |
| A few students visited VMR-1, home of Pedro, the HH-46E search and rescue helicopters that are no stranger to the local community.
“I like to give these displays,” said Cpl. Bruce D. Barner, a search and rescue crew chief with VMR-1. “We had a chance to really show the students in depth what we do for a living.”
The students said they enjoyed the opportunity.
“It was cool,” said Richard Bradford, a senior at Havelock High School. “We did more than I was expecting.”
Mathew Price, a junior at New Bern High School, said his ambitions of becoming a pilot grew from his experience.
“I want to pilot that aircraft,” Price said, referring to Pedro.
After hearing feedback from most of the students, Bailey said he felt this year's groundhog job shadow day was another successful one.
“I know they had a valuable experience,” Bailey added. | Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Tyler J. Bolken Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Copyright 2011 | Reprinted from Marine Corps News Comment on this article |
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