“Students must be aware that one of the purposes of their fine education at Benjamin is to be prepared for a life of service and commitment to a career and the community,” said English Department Chair Ms. Kathleen Devine.

Such is the purpose of Career Day which was held on February 22. This year, Dean of Students Mr. Charles Maddox planned out the day, taking over for the recently retired Mrs. Loretta Corey. As a result there were a few changes this year. Per usual, the students began in the Barker Performing Arts Center where this year’s keynote speaker, Mr. Juan Carlos Fanjul ’93, spoke to them about following their interests and passions. A former Emmy-award winning broadcaster and anchor, Fanjul is now Benjamin’s chief development officer, and he talked about how it was a dream come true to come back to work for the school he used to attend.

After that, the grades split up. The sixth-grade, per tradition, went to the gym to experience BizTown, a miniature, free enterprise society where they were assigned jobs at various businesses such as McDonald’s, Publix, and an animal shelter. Here, the students got a taste of the real world as they had to balance their individual checking accounts and work in their respective jobs to try and help their companies pay back their loans from the bank.

“[Biztown] was awesome,” said sixth grader Alex Ponchock. “I loved running a business and working together. Being apart of a team and a community was a great feeling.”

Things were a bit different for the seventh and eighth graders this year, though. The seventh graders were introduced to the Congressional Award – the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. Students may register for the award when they turn 13-and-a-half, and there are three award levels: bronze, silver, and gold. To earn one of these medals, students must achieve self-directed goals in each of the following areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.

The seventh graders were introduced to these four areas by rotating through stations that were led by teachers and staff.

“The activities were fun and also helped me discover what I can do to help myself be better in all things,” said seventh grader Julian Janin.

The eighth graders split their time by receiving resume-building tips from Palm Beach Atlantic University career peers in the library, and then also interviewing visiting professionals whose careers ranged from realtors and CFOs to doctors and stock traders. In years past, the students would participate in mock interviews for jobs with such professionals, but this year, they were the ones doing the interviewing.

“The interviews were great,” said eighth grader Grace Tighe, who interviewed Mr. Eric Marx, head trader at Impala Asset Management and father to Sophie (’23) and Bella (’25). “I learned so much just by asking accomplished people just a few questions.”