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McConnell Airmen participate in Wichita Career Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Showcasing the Air Force core value of service before self, Airmen from McConnell AFB gave back to the community by participating in the first ever Wichita Career Day on Oct. 20.

The event, a cooperative effort facilitated by the W.G. Williams Foundation and Wichita Public Schools, was at the Koch Arena at Wichita State University, and is part of a community effort to increase the retention of middle school age children through high school.

The importance of McConnell's participation in this event was not lost on the Airmen.

"It's important to give back to the community by showing these kids that they have a future past this," said Capt. Robert Barkers, 349th ARS pilot and flight scheduling commander. "We have every facet of McConnell represented at this event."

The event also featured courses that previewed careers available for the students. This set-up students to meet career professionals and to be paired with a mentor, including McConnell Airmen. To influence participation in the event, they were required to carry a "passport" that was stamped each time they stopped at a booth to ask questions.

Along with a variety of informational booths featuring local corporations, civic organizations and higher education institutions, Team McConnell Airmen from the medical group, air traffic control, airfield operations, operations intelligence and pilots and aircrew were present.

The booths exposed the students to careers ranging from those requiring minimal occupational skills, to those requiring post-secondary college degrees.

As with other occupations available, students were curious about careers available in the Air Force. Kenny Snow, an eighth grade student from Mayberry Middle Magnet School, wanted information about a career as an air crew member.

"I've been interested in joining the Air Force ever since attending a Star Base tour at McConnell three years ago," he said. "It really opened my eyes to what's available out there."

This enthusiasm emphasized the main goal of the day.

"This event was not only meant to address the dropout rate among eighth graders," said Thomas Dort, Urban League of Kansas chief operating officer. "It also helped [the students] look at what careers are out there, allowing them to establish goals for the long term, so that they can plan their schooling accordingly."

More than 3,000 students from the community attended Wichita Career Day. Mr. Dort hopes to make the event an annual occurrence for Wichita schools.