The career events wrapped up Thursday, and students said they got a lot of ideas about what they want their future to look like from visiting with local professionals.

“I just came from the juvenile officer session,” said eighth grader T.J. Schuler. “It was interesting. It’s a lot of criminal justice stuff.”

He said he went into the week’s career day activities with an open mind.

“I’d like to get ideas, just to see what I’m interested in. On Tuesday, I was really interested in the college coach for football. I’m big into sports,” T.J. said.

T-R PHOTO BY ADAM SODDERS - West Marshall eighth grader Kiersten Randall checks her blood pressure at the paramedics session Thursday.

He said he was also interested in the paramedic and lifeguard sessions.

Sixth grader Bella Borgos said she was interested in several of the sessions.

“I want to go into the athletic field or the medical field,” she said.

Bella said she enjoyed petting dogs and learning about animal health at the veterinary session and wanted to visit the health occupation and journalism sessions.

Fellow sixth grader Holden Simms said the college coaching session earlier this week was one of his favorites. He said he also enjoyed learning about careers in the highway patrol.

“I’m just learning about careers so I can think about what I want to do,” Holden said.

Seventh grader Savannah Perry said she went to various sessions to learn about different types of careers. She said she was most drawn to firefighting from a session earlier this week.

“It’d be difficult because of the things I would have to see and the weight of all the gear, but it would be a fun job, I think I would enjoy it,” Savannah said.

Among the organizations with professional volunteers at the West Marshall career day events were Animal Clinic – The Vet, Gutekunst Public Library, Hy-Vee, State Center Fire Department, Marshalltown Community College, Alliant Energy, Iowa Veterans Home, Iowa Department of Transportation, Mitchell Family Funeral Home, the Iowa National Guard and others.