HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Remember your first interviewing experience? It can be very exciting or quite scary at the same time.

The fifth and sixth grade students at Coyote Valley Elementary School got a firsthand experience in this process when they participated in the school's annual career day.

Each student had to complete a simple job applications, write a resume that shared some of their responsibilities and apply for three possible job interview opportunities after doing a little research.

A group of about 35 professionals, many from local businesses, were asked to participate in a day of interviews so that students would have some choice of careers.

Some of the businesses that were represented for interviews included Reynold’s Systems, the Army, Cal Recycle, and small local businesses like Chic Le Chef and Hardester’s.

There were actually only 27 interviewers on that day since the rule of thumb is that at least three students have to show interest in an interview or the position is closed.

Once the interviews are over and students have been evaluated for dressing professionally, being on time and making good conversation, the interviewer takes time to select the top candidate for the imaginary position.

All students receive a certificate for participation, but the top students receive a gold seal on their certificate acknowledging they were chosen for the position.

Many interviewers comment on how hard it is to chose only one and that so many of the student come prepared and have great interviews.

Many of the interviewers give up a morning with employees, customers or patients from their own jobs to support the students with this real life experience.

Interviewers enjoy the experience as much as the students and are always willing to come back and participate at the next event. The school is always looking for new job choice opportunities.

One last part of this experience is that all fourth through sixth graders participate in a spirit week that centers around careers.

Each day has a theme and students dress as someone that might fit in a field for that theme. An example would be someone dressing as a ranger for outdoor day or scientist for indoor day.

They also have a sports day for the professional in a sports career. Some students and teachers have gotten very creative for costumes.

This has become a biannual event and was started at least 14 years ago. It is a wonderful hands-on experience for students and it has proven to prepare them for the future.

A student visiting during this event commented on how she had interviewed as a nurse, pursued an education as a nurse and hopes to return to a career in the medical field.

Other students have mentioned that they used their first resume and added information to get their first job as a teenager.

It is a great way to get students started thinking about their futures.

Davina Pyzer is a staffer at Coyote Valley Elementary School.