ERNIE BROWN JR. Career day offers a lesson in achievement for students

"Does The Vindicator exaggerate the news?" Rilonda Neal asked.
I admit that was the first time I ever had to answer that question on the high school level.
I told Rilonda respectable newspapers don't exaggerate the news, and that The Vindicator does not do so.
Rilonda and several of her classmates had a chance to learn about careers in journalism and other professions at The Rayen School's first career fair late last month.
Rayen counselors M.J. Brown and Sarah Patrick and Sgt. Charles Sutton, the school's Army ROTC instructor, coordinated the event under the leadership of Principal Henrietta Williams.
The career day was set up in a fashion similar to a job fair.
Representatives from professions ranging from skilled trades to a federal customs agent had their designated areas for students to come and ask questions about career preparations.
I shared a spot with my friend M. Mike McNair, publisher of The Buckeye Review, the weekly newspaper that covers the black communities in Youngstown and Warren. In front of us were videographer Art Byrd Jr. and reporter and weekend anchor Renee Murphy from WFMJ-TV.
The goal for presenters was to explain to students what they needed in the form of education and experience to succeed in a chosen profession.
Interests
From what I saw in the three hours I was at the Youngstown North Side high school, the professions that interested most students were the skilled trades, computer technology, physical and speech therapy, law and law enforcement.
Youngstown Police Chief Bob Bush had a steady stream of students at his area. Representatives from the New Castle School of Trades also were kept busy explaining what the school offered.
Not many students aspired to become a newspaper editor, but that was not important to me.
What was important was that many black professionals took the time to share their knowledge and wisdom with students, most of whom were black.
"These kids need to see black people in positions as lawyers, doctors, EMTs and other professions to let them know that they, too, can enter these professions and be successful," Sutton said during a break.
George Williams, owner of Goldie's Flowers on Belmont Avenue, explained to his young charges about operating a business.
Atty. Kimberly Manigault told students how to pursue a law career.
Hard work
I only spoke to six students about what a newspaper editor does. Beyond that, however, I emphasized that no matter what profession they choose, they needed to be focused, dedicated, determined and self-disciplined.
At least two of the students thought that being a reporter was hard work. I explained that hard work is necessary to achieve success and excellence no matter what job path they selected.
I stressed that they should never let anyone tell them they can't do something or that they can't achieve their dreams. You also must make wise and sound lifestyle decisions, I continued.
I focused on the positive. I may live in the suburbs now, but I was raised in the inner city. I said if I can succeed, they can also.
It's a simple message, but one I believe that is not repeated enough to black youths.
The students were ages 14 to 18, and now was the time to begin pointing them toward career choices.
I told principal Williams and counselor Brown that I would love to come back next year to participate in the career fair.
The fair had a list of notes and procedures for the professionals to follow. The last one caught my eye: "You just may plant a seed today that will grow a great leader for the future."
I hope we succeeded.
ebrown@vindy.com