Career Day at Bethlehem Central Middle School allows seventh graders to explore various professions and gain insight into different paths they can pursue in the future.

Business owners, health care professionals, police officers, engineers, attorneys,  researchers, bus drivers, artists and environmentalists were among the presenters who filled this year’s classrooms with conversations, questions and answers about their day-to-day activities and their individual career journeys.

Students heard from individuals representing a wide spectrum of careers. All were enthusiastic about their career choices and the paths that took them to where they are today.

Career Day at BCMS has grown over the last few years with 50-60 guest speakers each year, many of whom are community members and parents of students at the school. The annual event is coordinated by Family and Consumer Science teachers Maria Hayes and Lindsey Bradt. Their success has become a model for other middle schools across the region. 

The teachers created a welcoming “break room” for the guest speakers, where they all had an opportunity to get to know one another and share some delicious snacks. The light fare was donated by Career Day sponsors Emma Cleary’s Cafe, Dunkin’ Donuts, Stewart’s Shops, Schuyler Bakery and Hannaford.

Thank you to Ms. Hayes and Ms. Bradt and a special shout-out to the outstanding Career Day guests who inspired students this year. They are: 

Rich “Ace” Akullian – Entrepreneur, Akullian Creative Enterprises
Alastair Aitchison – Architect 
Albany Firebirds – Zach Soden, Ben Nelson and Anthony Bisner
Andrew Arbeit – Attorney specializing in NY workers’ compensation defense
Lisa Baranik- Associate Professor in the Management Department in the School of Business and Associate Dean for Research 
Jason Bradt – Town of Bethlehem Highway Dept. Equipment Operator II 
Alaina Brophy – Corporate Bankruptcy Attorney (NYC)
Chris Carr – Engineer 
James Cascione – Process Safety Engineer
Chris Coleman – FAA Aviation Safety Inspector
Andrew Deroo – Trauma Surgeon and Surgical Intensive Care Physician
Leslie Deroo – Refugee Case Manager 
Francesca DiMola – Human Resources Specialist
Gina Ellis – Physical Therapist
Sherry Faye – Research Scientist 
Michael Giacoma- Aerospace Engineer
Samuel Gonzalez – Retired Police Detective & Criminal Justice Instructor @ FMCC
Jennifer Hayes – Anesthesiologist
Nicholas Hesel – Fire Protecting Engineer 
Lucas Holmquist – Senior Software Engineer
Susumu Iida – Semiconductor Researcher
Erik LaChance – State Farm Agent 
Christopher Meislahn – Taxpayer Rights Advocate (NYS)
Molly Michalek – Auto Insurance Claims Team Manager
Jill Monticello – Medical Device Sales 
Isabel Morgan – Therapist & Owner, Walk It Out Now
Kevin Nasadoski – Business Owner, Landscape for Less
Resa Ostrander – Training Director (NYS Executive Chamber)
Blakeny Peschel – Strategic Portfolio Management
Adam Prusik – Supervisor of Forensic Services
Nicole Privitera – Early Childhood Educator 
Brian Reilly – Cybersecurity 
Joe Robichaud – Terracon Operations Manager 
Tracey Semeiks – Supervising Judge
Andrew Sheehan – Hoosic Valley Jr. Sr. High Principal
Erin Sheevers- Chief Technology Officer, BCSD
Lauren Spector – Public Information Officer (NYS DHCR)
Krista Spohr – Environmental Program Specialist (NYS DEC)
Jomol Turinksy – Diagnostic Radiologist
Ethan Wells – Civil/Structural Engineer
Yvonne White – Sports Medicine Doctor 
Marisa Whitelaw – Certified Nurse Midwife, Women’s Health NP
Maggie Wood – Attorney 
Stacy Wozniak – Speech Language Pathologist
Qiang (Steven) Wu – Ph.D. Candidate /Adjunct Lecturer in Political Science
Brian Rhatigan- Arena Sporting Host
Trooper Bowers – NYS Police Troop G Recruiter
Robert Tanner & Nico (therapy dog) – Retired Chief Petty Officer, Navy SeaBees & Retired Highway Foreman
Lisa McAndrew – Research Clinical Psychologist
Patrick Woods – Appellate Attorney (NYS Attorney General)
Ava Schlesinger – Construction Project Manager 
Matt Callahan – Tri City Valley Cats