New Canaan Teens Test Out Careers

Abbey Buckenheimer is thinking of starting her own business long after her years at New Canaan High School are done. Going out and doing something on her own has long appealed to her. “I’ve always been interested in it. Maybe a bakery,” said Buckenheimer, 16, a junior. “I’m really up for anything.”

She is more confident about her choice after hearing from business professionals who are where she’s hoping to go. Hundreds of New Canaan students got a glimpse of the future during the school's Career Night.

Business owners, designers, lawyers, actors and other professionals met with the students in small groups Tuesday to talk about their work experiences and how they made it to where they are. For some, the careers they’re in now are not where they had once planned to be. In the entrepreneurs and small business discussion, New Canaan Toy Store owner Chris Kilbane told students to try to learn about different things. He suggested taking a finance course in college so they can be savvier about money.

Doug Perlman, chief operating officer of Sports Media Advisors, said he hoped his advice might ease the pressure to establish career goals so early. He said things and interests can change. “Life takes different twists and turns,” he said.

Dana DeFranco, 16, a sophomore, said she was happy to hear from hospitality and events professionals. DeFranco has an uncle who runs a hotel in Cape Cod, Mass., but enjoyed hearing others' experiences. DeFranco and friend Shea Durkin, also 16, learned about colleges to attend to earn a master’s degree in business. “I think it’s very interesting and rewarding,” DeFranco said.

Quinn Gruver, 15, a sophomore, visited with finance and investment banking experts and also learned a little about architecture and engineering. "I'm interested in math," she said. "It's just nice to hear from people who have been through it."

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