WESTFIELD – Have you ever wanted to be someone different? Ever wanted to try something new? If you’re a Westfield High School student, you may have that opportunity when MTV comes to town.
An MTV crew will be at the school Dec. 16 conducting interviews for its show “Made.” The show follows a student through the process of becoming “made” into something a little out of their comfort zone. For example, a female athlete known as a “tomboy” may want to be made into the prom queen, or maybe it’s the prom queen who wants to play rugby. Whatever their dream, MTV provides a coach to help the student achieve that goal and chronicles their journey.
WHS Career Specialist and Guidance Counselor Angela Nunes said having students participate in the “Made” process is great practice for interviewing in a professional setting.
“They are interviewed by someone from MTV and they are filmed – they brings lights, cameras and everything,” said Nunes. WHS participated in a round of interviews for the show four years ago and Nunes said it was a very positive experience.
“How many kids can say they interviewed for an MTV show?” she said.
Students must sign-up in the John E. Reed Career Center and fill out a questionnaire about their goals. She said, so far, some of the students hoping to be chosen for the show have goals of becoming a rapper, model, marathon runner and snowboarder.
“The kids at Westfield High are on top of their game, especially when it comes to an attainable goal,” said Nunes. “Trying out for the show is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most students. And, it’s fun.”
Nunes has been a guidance counselor at WHS for seven years and has worked full-time at the Career Center for three years. Nunes said her goal is to expose the students to as many opportunities as possible.
“Anything that exposes them to careers, the interview process, or just real life, I am game for that,” she said.
Nunes runs a work-study program, an internship program and advises the Ambassador Club, which provides community service throughout the city.
“Being at the career center full-time allows me the freedom to do whatever comes across my desk that will benefit the students,” said Nunes. “I try to get all students to come to the Center to start thinking about the future.”
Nunes said not every student fits in a career mold. Not everyone is going to be a doctor or a lawyer, so she tries to introduce them to numerous career paths.
“Last year I held our first career fair with 82 vendors from all kinds of careers,” said Nunes. ‘This year I’m hoping for 150 professionals.”
From tattoo artists to mechanics, massage therapists to paralegals, the career options Nunes wants her students to explore are limitless.
Nunes said “Made” ties into what she tries to instill in her students about goal-setting and having a plan to achieve those goals.
“It’s my job to let them know the world is at their disposal,” Nunes said. “And, they don’t have to fit into a box.”
Nunes said she took a winding path to her career and wants everyone to know that as long as they have a goal and focus on it, they will get there.
“If you have a goal, you’re never too old to attain it.” she added.
