Whitestone Kahui Ako held their Inspiring the Future event for the second straight year at St Joseph’s School last week.
Almost 150 year 8 pupils from North Otago country schools came together for the day.
They brought in 11 working professionals and the children got to ask yes or no questions before they guessed what the guests did for a career.
Whitestone Kahui Ako leader Steve Ross said the day aimed to open the pupils’ eyes to what jobs were out there.
‘‘That’s what we’re trying to open their minds up to.
‘‘Half of them won’t know [what they want to do as a career], but they don’t know what’s out there either.’’
The guests all worked in a wide range of industries such as farming, business, technology and media.
Mr Ross said it was important for the pupils to see anything was possible if they put their minds to it.
‘‘There’s no gendered jobs any more. If you want to do it, go and do it.’’
After the pupils guessed the guest’s careers, they were split into groups and got the opportunity to speak to them about their jobs and ask questions to find out more.
Waitaki District Council deputy mayor Rebecca Ryan was the emcee for the event and newly-elected mayor Melanie Tavendale also spoke to the pupils.
