Eighth grade students took their first steps on their career paths Friday — literally.

From left, Daytona eighth graders Chase Perrotto, Cesar Quintana, Nick Anderson and Colton Chamberlain listen to Alison Hendriksen from Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home explain the medical procedures involved with her business. Jackie Leatherman/News-Herald Photo.

Thunderbolt and Daytona Middle School students guided themselves through roughly 20 different career stations at the Thunderbolt campus for its career day.

This is the second year the middle and high schools have coordinated to design six different career paths, each identified by different colors. Each career path includes blocks of high school classes and clubs geared toward directing students to their job or college interests. The eighth graders will start choosing their own classes early next year.

“Think of it as a packaging for them,” said Shawna Schneikart, Lake Havasu High School Career and Technical Education coordinator. “A way for them to understand their likes and dislikes.”

This year’s freshman were the first to experience the career paths when choosing their high school classes last year, and they are also the first class to be required to develop an Educational Career and Action Plan in order to graduate.

“It really kind of helped focus them,” Schneikart said. “We did notice a difference with that.”

Career stations ranged from emergency services, environmental areas, cosmetology and funeral services.

Alison Hendriksen licensed funeral director with Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home, said she was surprised at the great questions students asked Friday.

“This one girl is cut out for it,” she said. “You could tell by the look in her eyes. These kids have a lot of good questions.”

Daytona eighth grader Brittanie Vosler said she thought career day was “cool.”

“It’s a good opportunity for kids to chose what they want to do when they get older,” she said.

Another Daytona eighth grader Chase Perrotto also said the day was helpful, which included a station for his architectural interests.

“I like it,” he said. “You get to chose what you want to be in life, make a choice.”

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com