Letter: Schools should offer career guidance

Newsday's long-term recipe to restore national employment ["Uncle Sam's toughest task," Editorial, Aug. 14] leaves out one key ingredient: an ongoing comprehensive career orientation in the public schools.

Certainly a large percentage of the 14 million people out of work are younger floundering Americans still struggling to find themselves regarding correct career paths. This is apparently compounded by millions in the workforce already misguided into the wrong fields.

One of the most ludicrous perplexities of this most significant of life's decisions is apparently frequently made by sheer accident.Many youths find temporary jobs, which in time become their long-term careers. Bitterness sadly sets in, affecting the very quality of life.

By high school graduation it seems absolutely essential that all students be thoroughly cognizant of the very specific careers that match their unique aptitudes. Students could ideally be introduced, through an ongoing meaningful program from early elementary through secondary school, to the wide gamut of all careers. Inspirational presenters, speakers, on-the-job workers, retirees, etc., could turn students on to multiple exciting career opportunities based on their very own experiences. Question-and-answer sessions, videos, reading materials, etc. could supplement the presentations.

As students become inspired by dreams and goals, all schoolwork would benefit with increased motivation.

Fred Barnett, Lake Grove

Editor's note: The writer is a retired teacher from the Levittown public school district.