Major Kris Gustafson speaks to students at Persell Middle School during a presentation on different careers in the school library.

Students at Persell Middle School have had the pleasure of a few special guests in the library this school year, thanks to the help of their library media specialist.

Persell library media specialist Ashley Gustafson invited a number of guest speakers to the library to speak to 5th through 8th graders about their career aspirations.

“Our guest speakers were outstanding and I’m so appreciative that they took this time out of their busy days to come talk to our students,” said Gustafson.

Guest speakers included: Firefighter Ryan Saunders from Jamestown Fire Department, Major Kris Gustafson from the U.S. Army, Blake Tarana, owner of the local Tim Hortons franchise, and Officer Alexis Carlson from the Jamestown Police Department and the district’s school resource officer.

“I came up with this idea last school year after having a few conversations with students about their future and them wanting to know more about specific career,” Gustafson said. “I thought about how I could give my students some career readiness.”

Gustafson had students write down their top three career choices. She then had them research their careers and gather information.

“After taking tallies on what were the most popular career choices, I then reached out to people in these specific careers to come present to them,” she said.

Once the research ended, students had the chance to “interview” for the jobs they one day hope to apply for and gaining important interview experience along the way.

“I have received so much positive feedback from my students,” Gustafson added. “They were so interested in the guest speakers and their stories that got them to where they’re at in their career. Each speaker showed the students how hard work pays off.”