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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-05-28, Page 11Crossroads Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Times -Advocate 11 Girls Unlimited offers career options to local students By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — About 250 Huron County girls aged 13-15 learned last week about the many career options available to them right in their own backyard. The Girls Unlimited Career Day was held at South Huron Rec Centre last Friday and gave local girls the chance to meet local career women, learn about what they do and how they can start a path to their own career. The day -long program saw groups of girls rotate from table to table, getting the chance to meet women representing a variety of different careers. This is the fourth year for the program and the first time in Exeter. Lynda McGregor, executive director of the Foundation For Education Perth/Huron said a similar event used to be held in the late 1990s called Women in Rural Economic Development. When that program ended, McGregor and Judy Weber connected with Pam Hanington, then of Women Today Huron, and decided to resurrect a career program for girls. The first Girls Unlimited was held four years ago in Clinton with about 120 girls. McGregor said her goal for the girls who attend Girls Unlimited is "self awareness and self empowerment," as well as introducing the girls to career options and the idea that they can do anything. "It's all about building a sense of them- selves in young women," she explains, adding the feedback she receives from the participants is overwhelmingly posi- tive. McGregor said it's also OK for girls to Stress relief — Local 13 -15 -year-old girls attended Girls Unlimited at South Huron Rec Centre last Friday, an event designed to teach girls the various career options available to them.Above, Huron Centennial student Jamie Ryckman receives a massage from massage therapist Tanya Shepherd of Goderich. (photos/Scott Nixon) not know what career they'll enter and that it's OK to change careers in the middle of your life. "A crooked career path is just as valid as a straight career path." She said it's important that girls "fol- low their passion" when choosing a career. Hanington, an independent educator and a member of the Girls Unlimited organizing committee said it's important to make girls aware of the broad spec- trum of careers available to them. She said organizers want the girls to contin- ue their education, explore their options and realize their skills. In addition to alternating some of the careers represented at Girls Unlimited every year, Hanington said they like to make girls aware of careers that are non-traditional for females. In choosing the career women for Girls Unlimited, Hanington said she likes to see "young" and "dynamic" women talk- ing to the girls. "We have some really unique people here," she said. Hanington added Huron County has the highest per capita rate of women making a living through some type of entrepreneur work. There were more than 20 "career coaches" at Girls Unlimited last week representing a variety of careers, includ- ing entrepreneur Jackie Rowe of Hensall's The Garlic Box, athletic thera- pist Kendra Craig, health promoter Cindy Maxfield, conservation education specialist Julie Hicks, plumber Jenny Middleton, Huron OPP Const. Joanna Van Mierlo, artist Natalie Hussey, gasline inspector Suzanne Tabliabracci, the Times -Advocate's Nina Van Lieshout and more. Keynote speaker for the day was Kati Durst of Goderich, a former finalist for "Canadian Idol." Durst spoke to the girls about her path towards a singing career and told them about her fears and doubts along the way. She talked of the stress she went through while auditioning for "Canadian Idol," and some of the training exercis- es she went through with the other con- testants after she was named to the top 200. "I didn't sleep the first night, I got maybe two hours the second night. It was insane," she said, but added her nerves gave her an opportunity to believe in herself. She ended with a song from her upcoming CD and encouraged the girls to follow their dreams. "My advice to you is to keep trying and to keep dreaming ... Fear is not a rea- son to not keep going." Girls Unlimited is hosted and funded by the Foundation For Education Perth/Huron, Women Today Huron and the Ontario Women's Directorate and sponsored by the Avon Maitland District School Board's Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Huron Business Development Corporation and the Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board. Local talent —Above, Goderich singer and "Canadian Idol" finalist Kati Durst was the Girls Unlimited keynote speaker. Here she performs "Home" from her upcoming CD. Around the world —Travel consultant Robin Wark, left, talks about her job while Exeter Public studentVangi Dojosefska looks on. Local entrepreneur —Above right, Jackie Rowe of Hensall's The Garlic Box speaks to Exeter Public students.At left is student Sally Eo.