Career Goals Given ‘At Risk’ Teenagers

Neil, a Chatsworth High School senior, learned on Thursday what it takes to be a carpenter. Ramon, a Canoga Park High 10th-grader, found out about cable television.

The two students were among those “at risk” teenagers who were treated to a day in the business world to give them goals to strive for in life.

Sponsored by Keep Youth Doing Something, or KYDS, 80 students from Chatsworth, Canoga Park and Reseda high schools followed local business men and women for the morning, learning everything from policing to medicine, in the group’s sixth annual Career Day.

They finished up at Encino Glen Restaurant, where they had lunch and told stories about their mornings.

Ramon was paired up with Cammie Kleimer, telemarketing and retention manager for Time Warner Communications in Chatsworth. His networking on Thursday may lead to an internship this summer.

The teens were chosen because many were not aware that career choices are available.

“They come from neighborhoods where they don’t have a lot of opportunities,” said Sandy Kievman, executive director of KYDS.

“We try to give alternatives for them and hope for the future.”

Students said they liked Career Day because it points them in the right direction.

“It’s good to get kids interested in something,” Neil said.