WEST MILFORD In 1963 The West Milford Rotary Club sponsored its first Career Day at the township high school. On November 7, the 44th Career Day was be held. Career Day is a major event for the high school, open to all the students. So, a student attending West Milford High School over a four-year period may hear about as many as twelve different careers. They may choose to hear about various careers in heath-care, law and law enforcement, accounting, business and entertainment just to name a few. Representatives from the armed services also come to speak to the students. Speakers for Career Day are not limited to Rotarians. In fact, most of the speakers come from outside of Rotary. They come from the business and professional community in Northern New Jersey. Another interesting aspect about Career Day, it is the one day out of the school year when absenteeism is the lowest. Career Day begins in the morning. Following coffee and greetings, the speakers are assigned to a classroom where they spend 35 to 40 minutes discussing the careers they represent. The speakers then enjoy a buffet lunch at the Town Tavern Restaurant, compliments of Rotary. Career Day is a vocational service program that has flourished over the years and has at times motivated students towards a particular field. Dr. John Pier, Rotary’s Career Day Coordinator relates a time when a young lady wandered into his session on Dentistry, was so impressed with the information she received that morning, she went on to pursue a career in dental hygiene. She later became Dr. Pier’s Hygienist. Many of the Career Day speakers have done so many times over the years. Alan Edelstein and Alvin Gutz are CPA’s who have spoken on accounting for over the past 20 years. Both enthusiastically look forward to Career Day every year. Edelstein, a township resident and Rotarian says of Career Day, “When you are in front of 25 high school kids, most of whom are undecided on what they want to do, and one or two asks a question that sparks some interest, it’s a rewarding feeling. When Alvin [Gutz] and I talk to the students we try to let them know everything that goes with the accounting profession including the sacrifices necessary. If I’m describing the life of a tax practitioner, I have to make them aware of the extraordinary amount of time and energy to go in that particular direction.” What does it take to be a speaker at West Milford High School’s Career Day? Simply the flexibility and willingness to devote just over a half a day of your time. If you have an interest in becoming a speaker for future Career Days simply contact either Alan Edelstein at 973-697-1213 or Glenn Gross at 973-853-2679.