Maitland businesses open their doors to hundreds of high school students every year to give them a taste of working life through work experience programs.
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Here at the Mercury we have opened our doors many times to budding young writers and our journalists have written stories about countless others who have tried their hand at everything from heavy engineering to clerical work.
The underlying message we receive from students each year is that such programs are instrumental in helping them get a better idea of the career they wish to pursue.
Now one of our state politicians, opposition spokesman for education Ryan Park, wants to expand on this even further.
As part of his Education Week promotions, Mr Park has called on the government to establish an alumni program that would offer students invaluable access to mentoring from former students.
“What I want to see is public schools – especially those in regional areas like Maitland – being able to establish more formal networks where an aspiring young engineer, actor, school teacher or doctor could make contact with past students who have gone on to achieve great things in their chosen field,” Mr Park said.
“We know that many of our prominent scientists, political leaders, actors, artists and researchers have graduated from one of our great local public schools.”
This is a fabulous idea and one that would help students better understand the types of careers they wish to pursue.