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Tips for Youth (Grades 3-6)

Now that you’ve read Zooman Sam and learned all about Career Day at school, Sam Krupnik, and his love of animals, why not consider writing to someone who is blind or visually impaired who works with animals and/or teaches? You could also begin to think about what you might like to teach your fellow classmates about a job that you find interesting. You could learn and share what it takes to do the job, how many people are doing it, and what special skills and devices someone with vision loss would need to be successful at it.

Before e-mailing AFB CareerConnect® members, read the “tips” and “questions” below to help you get started:

Tips on writing a letter:

Start your letter with “Dear Mentor” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

Introduce yourself by your first name and tell them a little about the book you just read with the Braille Bug Reading Club.

Then tell them you would like to learn more about their work and how they do it. You may ask your own questions or use some of the ones below.

After you finish your letter, be sure to thank them for their time and for answering your questions before you send it.

Questions to consider:

  • What did you want to be when you were my age?
  • How did you learn about and decide you wanted to do this job?
  • Do you like your job? What do you like best about it?
  • Would you please tell me about some of the most interesting things you’ve done in working with animals/ teaching a class?
  • Does anyone else in your family have a job like yours?
  • Did you have other jobs before this one? What were they?
  • What things are you best at doing and how do they help you do good work?
  • Did you have to be responsible and do chores at home when you were growing up? What about after school or summer jobs?
  • Where did you go to school to learn your job?
  • Did you think it was hard? Was it worth it?
  • What exactly do you do all day when not teaching/working with animals?
  • How do you get to and from work?
  • Are you always on time? What happens if you are late for work?
  • Did you have to learn how to read and write braille?
  • Do you use a computer or other fun technology to help you at work?
  • If I work and study hard to become really good at something, do you think I could get others to pay me for what I can do?