Choosing careers

On Wednesday, April 30, Cohoes Middle School students learned about cooking, managing, banking and fundraising, all during the school day at the annual Career Fair.

Professionals from the area visited the middle school to talk to students about their own career paths and to describe their jobs, giving students insight into different professions that they may want to pursue.

The list of presenters included a nurse, executives, teachers, chefs, carpenters, a court analyst, an engineer, a photographer, a scientist and a New York State Trooper.

While speaking with students, Paul Dolan, an instructor at the School of Culinary Arts and a chef at the State Room in Albany, explained that food service is one of the biggest operations in the world. He talked about his path to becoming a chef and how his job involves more than just cooking—he also has to manage other people, know how to budget, create menus, be aware of food industry problems and understand crisis management.

Students who saw his presentation were treated to pastries that three of his students, who are also Cohoes High School students, made during his talk.

Students had an opportunity at the end of each speaker's presentation to ask questions.