Career inspiration takes to the sky

Adults regularly encourage young people to aim for the sky when considering career choices â- and that’s literally what happened for a group of Lena Shaw Elementary students.

A group of Grade 5 students enjoyed an amazing day of aircraft-related activities thanks to the Cmolik Foundation’s Expanding Horizons program and pilots at Boundary Bay Airport. The pilots volunteered their time and aircraft fuel to take students for a tour in their small aircraft and helicopters.

The students also received a pilot lesson in a flight simulator, had a session explaining the role of air traffic controllers and took part in a seminar on making wise choices. 

They went from the airport to the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus, where they received a tour, boarded a WestJet plane and watched a demonstration about jet engines by BCIT student mechanical engineers. The student engineers also explained what they were learning, what it took to study there and what their future careers will be. One of them told the Lena Shaw students about the challenges and rewards of being the only female in her class, inspiring them to follow their dreams and try their best.

The day ended with a three-course fine dining meal at Pier 73 restaurant near the campus, where students could use the table manners and cutlery lessons that Community-Schools Partnership staff at Lena Shaw had given them. At each table, adult volunteers spoke to the students about wise choices, future career choices â- many students chose “pilot” â- and how to pursue those careers. They also discussed the day’s fun activities.

The trip was one of two that happen each year for Grade 5 students at Lena Shaw. They can also potentially receive $1,000 bursaries from the Cmolik Foundation toward post-secondary training or education if they attend a summer program at SFU Surrey.