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Jason Redd let students mix and pour concrete while informing them on the inner workings of being a civil engineer at Helena Intermediate's career day on March 7. (Reporter Photos/Keith McCoy)

Scott Meinberg shows students an example of a custom car and explains how he got into building these cars.

Claude Williams shows students the inner workings of being a beekeeper.

Football Coach Tony Johnson organizes students showing them the thinking behind football plays.

Lauren Hogan tells students about how much time and energy it takes to train a service dog.

By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA – What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a common question kids get asked all the time and on Thursday, March 7, students at Helena Intermediate School came away with a better understanding of job professions and what interested them, thanks to a career day hosted by the school.

More than 40 business professionals came to the school to speak with third, fourth and fifth graders on various careers and what they do on a daily basis all while using interactive presentations and more.

Each classroom provided something different, as business professionals ranged from health care, animal services, engineering, business owners, coaches, construction, attorneys, law enforcement officers and more.

Although the business professionals were wide ranging, some professions did stand out more than others, such as custom car builder Scott Meinberg.

Part of Meinberg’s presentation consisted of letting students view one of his custom-built race cars in the parking lot of the school.

Students squealed with glee and cheered as Meinberg revved the engine of his 750 horsepower 1967 Ford. He then explained other customizations on the car including the suspension, roll cage and more.

Another highlight of the career day included Veterinarian Brandt Tolbert’s presentation as he showed a variety of X-rays depicting cases where animals swallowed foreign objects and more.

The animal X-rays included snakes, dogs, cats, fish, turtles and more. One X-ray depicted an image where a dog had swallowed a spoon as students questioned how the object had gotten there.

Tolbert answered questions and concerns saying the most fulfilling part of his job is helping animals get back to full health after being sick.

Helena Intermediate third grader Mason Sasser said his favorite part of career day was seeing the golden retriever service dog with dog trainers Lauren and Hunter Hogan. He also learned a lot from orthodontist Priscila Denny.

“I didn’t know that nail biting and things like that can actually mess up your teeth,” Sasser said. “There were just things I didn’t know that can mess up your teeth and cause you to get braces.”

Other highlights of career day included students having a chance to pour concrete with help from Alabama Power, a visit from a beekeeper and more.

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