Our career fairs were never like this!

(You know, there are some news stories that just reach out and grab you. In this case, this news story reaches out and shoves a bosom with pasties in your face and practically suffocates you, but hey, what's the difference? My comments will be interspersed.)

Speaker Touts Stripping to 8th Graders
2 hours, 52 minutes ago

By BILEN MESFIN, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO - The principal of a Palo Alto middle school may not invite a popular speaker back to an annual career day after he told girls they could earn a good living as strippers.
(Well, you know what they say..."Those that can, do...those who can't become principals.")

Management consultant William Fried told eighth-graders at Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle School on Tuesday that stripping and exotic dancing can pay $250,000 or more per year, depending on their bust size.
(Nothing like honesty, huh?)

"It's sick, but it's true," Fried said in an interview later. "The truth of the matter is you can earn a tremendous amount of money as an exotic dancer, if that's your desire."
(Nice disclaimer, Mr. Fried...however, you should know that middle school kids are only going to listen to 1/3 of what you say. It's like that Far Side cartoon...blah blah blah Ginger...)

Fried has given a popular 55-minute presentation, "The Secret of a Happy Life," at the school's career day the past three years. He counsels students to experiment with a variety of interests until they discover something they love and excel in.
(Gee, I wish he'd come to my school. Then again, I'd be trying to make a living as a couch potato...not that it's necessarily a bad idea, it's just that everyone's doing it.)

But school principal Joseph Di Salvo said Fried may not be back next year.
(Aw gee, why not? Beats doing magazine sales...)

The principal said Fried's comments to the class came after some of them asked him to expand on why he included "exotic dancing" on his list of 140 potential careers.
(Oh yeah...wish I'd been there...one of those 'Maalox Moments', I do believe.)

Fried spent about a minute answering questions, defining strippers and exotic dancers synonymously. According to Jason Garcia, 14, he told students: "For every 2 inches up there, you should get another $50,000 on your salary."
(You know, maybe I should make that part of my next salary negotiation.)

"A couple of students egged him and he took it hook, line and sinker," said Di Salvo, who also said the students took advantage of a substitute teacher overseeing the session.
(So why wasn't someone in more authority there as well to keep things from going overboard? Gotta take some responsibility, Mr. Di Salvo!)

"It's totally inappropriate," Di Salvo said. "It's not OK by me. I would want my presenters to kind of understand that they are coming into a career day for eighth-graders."
(OK, don't get me wrong, but how intense is this career day? I mean, you change your mind a gazillion times from 8th grade to college graduation, and some people still don't know what they want to be when/if they grow up. Hell, some don't know if they want to grow up. Why all the pressure?)

That stripping advice wasn't the only thing that riled parents. Di Salvo said one mother said she was outraged when her son announced that he was forgoing college for a field he loves: fishing.
(Gee, wonder how Babe Winkleman's mom felt? Also, did this mother stop and think that her son may have said it for shock value?)

"He really focused on finding what you really love to do," said Mariah Cannon, 13.
(You know, that is important. However, you've gotta be realistic and understand that love isn't always enough, and sometimes you've gotta work a lousy job to get to one you love. Moreover, what you love in 8th grade is not necessarily what you love at age 22 or 25. It's pretty tricky.)

Fried, 64, said he does not think he offended any of the students: "Eighth-grade kids are not dumb," he said. "They are pretty worldly."
(He is right, and some of them probably could already earn $250K already. Can you say 'jailbait'?)

Sudiegirl sez:

Well, this school district has their work cut out for them, that much is true. I am pretty speechless...anyone have a word or two to contribute?

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On the Net:
J.L.S. Middle School: http://www.jls.palo-alto.ca.us