Guest panelists and participants at Mount Madonna School’s (MMS) recent 4th annual Career Forum shared a broad array of educational and career-related experiences, and advised the assembled high school students to take calculated risks, be open to opportunities, and find supportive mentors.

“Always be willing to ask for help and look for mentors in all aspects of your life,” urged Laurie Getz, a vice president, client director with Gartner, the world’s leading information technology research and advisory company. ‘“You’ll benefit greatly from the advice and mentorship.”

“You’re going to encounter a lot of expectations – your own, from friends and parents, and from society as a whole,” commented intellectual property attorney Greg Murphy. “If these expectations are coming from somewhere external, let them go.”

“It’s a big world out there, dream big,” advised Mark Lord, an organizational team and leadership development consultant. “Your choices are limitless in where you go and what you do – don’t minimize your choices by worrying about the ‘how,’ you will be able to deal with this in time. Take intelligent risks, follow your interests and passions, work hard and stay open to outcomes – you never know where this may lead you.”

The event was attended by 9th through 12th graders and featured guest presenters drawn from the MMS parent body spotlighting an array of professions. Participants talked with the gathered students about their chosen professions, about how they arrived at their career path, and the importance of finding something they enjoy doing and through which they can earn a living.

“I’m a fifth-generation farmer,” explained Dave Willoughby. “As a student at Cal Poly I studied Agribusiness and want you to know that there are many careers you can pursue in the agricultural realm. Today I work with more than 100 employees, from pest control advisers to ranch managers to equipment operators to specialists in organic and conventional fertilizers. People I work with have studied business, they’ve studied marketing; there are so many opportunities.”

Kate Connor, a parent of a current MMS student and two alumni, explains the motivation for parents who come together each year to organize, produce and present this event.

“As our children began to face the difficult challenge of choosing colleges based upon potential career opportunities,” explains Connor, “a group of MMS parents came together to expose them to the varied and extensive career options that are available. Career paths are rarely lineal. Utilizing a fun and engaging format, and drawing upon our talented and experienced parent and alumni community, students have an opportunity to identify interests, occupations and discover their passions. As parents, our goal is to provide as much information for our kids as we can, as they prepare to embark on their college path and future.”

Student seemed to really connect with the interactive format of the event – beginning with a mini ‘quiz show’ where teams – divided by grade level – competed to answer questions about the guest panelists.

“What a journey! That’s how I look at life after 53 years in the entertainment business,” commented guest panelist John Craviotto, musician, master drumsmith, and founder of The Craviotto Drum Company. “Although I did not finish high school and started working as a teenager, I recognize that today education is essential for people to be a part of what’s going on – and they have to be willing to take risks along the way.”

“You want to make sure you are pursuing something for the right reasons,” shared Stewart Fox, vice president of worldwide sales for Skybox Security. “Sometimes in life you may do things that have nothing to do with the career you’ll end up with.” Fox told students that earlier in his life he’d worked as a security guard for musician Willy Nelson and other artists, earning $25 a night. Later, he became fascinated with cyber and network security.

“I didn’t know early on that this was the field I would go into,” he said. “And I encourage young people to go out into the world with open and inquisitive minds, and to be open to receiving any opportunities that may come.”

Guest participants encouraged students to seek careers that they can feel passionate about and that offer a sense of personal fulfillment.

“I have always been more comfortable in deep experiences, even if that includes some pain and grief, along with discovery and growth,” shared panelist and psychotherapist Vivian Gratton. “So, after many years, I have found a profession that fits well with my nature and my skills, and allows me to make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Santa Cruz physician Kristina Muten agrees:

“I love my work as a family doctor. It provides the framework for a level of intimacy which is rare in ordinary social contact, as well as an extraordinary opportunity to serve. In more than 20 years as a physician I don’t think I have had a single day when I didn’t do some good for someone.”

Following the ‘quiz show’ introductions, students were divided into mixed-grade groups for a segment of ‘speed dating’: rotating around the room in five-minute intervals to ask questions and talk one-on-one with each additional guest presenter. Participants shared an array of advice and experience:

“Although I was an art major in college, at one point I decided I wasn’t passionate enough to ‘starve’ to be an artist, so instead I switched to studying business and marketing,” said Getz. “I knew I could do something creative with a marketing degree, and along the way I discovered that I have a talent for describing technical, complex ideas in simple language; something that has served me well professionally.”

Each year the event features different guest presenters. In addition to those mentioned above, this year’s participants were: registered nurse and glass bead artist Beth Blosser; architect Brian Spector; cabinet maker Kirk Stevens; and Santa Clara County Parks’ interpreter Lynda Will.

Up until the forum’s conclusion, students continue asking questions of the guest presenters:
“Did you always want to make cabinets?” one girl asks Stevens.

“I always knew that I would be making stuff,” Stevens replied. “Cabinet making is very fulfilling because you get to see what you’ve created; and I like the freedom of being in business for myself.”

 
“I’m happy to hear from Kirk that there are professions that allow you to start work later and surf in the morning,” remarked senior Bryson Smith with a smile.

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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Media & Public Relations,

Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville