From Medicine to Mars, Kids Can Dream

Jillian Schlesinger, 12, has always considered becoming a veterinarian.

But it was a python named Penelope at the Science Career Options Conference at UC Irvine on Tuesday that settled any questions she may have had.

“I can’t believe that I’m really holding Penelope,” Jillian said, her eyes wide as she stroked the snake. “I’m not even scared, either. I’ve just always loved animals and after hearing the speaker [Dr. Gayle Roberts], it convinced me that I will work toward becoming a veterinarian.”

The girl, who attends Vista Verde Elementary School, was one of about 400 students from Irvine at the sixth annual conference, which included a presentation from former astronaut Sally Ride.

“I really want to be a scientist when I grow up, but if not, maybe I will be an astronaut, who knows?” said Lauren Fujishima, a 12-year-old at Sierra Vista Middle School.

For Bushra Kunbargi, an 11-year-old at South Lake Middle School, a presentation from a medical student had her leaning toward a career as a physician.

“She [Teryn Clark] told us that she has helped to deliver four babies in just the last couple of weeks,” Bushra said. “I think that’s a pretty cool thing. And it sounds like something I might really want to do.”

Chris Spitzer, 12, a student at Sierra Vista, said he’s considering a career that would be both fun and lucrative.

“I’ve wondered about possibly becoming an engineer one day,” Spitzer said. “And today, I heard two speakers from Disneyland talking about a career I’d never heard of before.

“They told us all about jobs in ride architecture. See, you help to design and build the rides that people go on. Now, that would be a fun job.”