She may not have read the novels or even seen the movies yet, but recreating a scene from Harry Potter was Emily Needham’s favourite part of her Take our Kids to Work Day experience, Wednesday at the University of Windsor.

“I liked the drama activity the most,” she said as she reflected on the series of events representing the breadth of the University’s programs. “I’m more interested in creative pursuits than straight academics.”

A Grade 9 student at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, she was invited to participate in the program by her aunt Laura McLean, administrative assistant to the dean of science.

“I think it’s good to get a feel for the workplace,” Needham said. “In Grade 9 we’re more impressionable, so it’s an early chance to explore your options.”

Besides the film experience organized by the Department of Communication, Media, and Film, the day’s activities included sessions exploring nursing skills, probing careers in science, marketing a product launch, engineering model wind turbines, and running a challenge course. In addition, participants have an opportunity to shadow their host on the job.

McLean appreciated the work that went into the campus version of the national program, designed to help students plan education and career paths.

“I wanted to show my niece the options at the University of Windsor,” she said. “I think it’s great for her to get exposure to all the different faculties.”

Take Our Kids to Work Day is an annual program of the “Learning Partnership” in which Grade 9 students are hosted by parents, friends, or relatives at workplaces across the country. At the University, the program is co-ordinated by Human Resources and made possible by the contributions of many campus partners and sponsors.