More than 300 students visited Carl Sandburg College for lessons in financial literacy, how to find a job and more.
GALESBURG, Ill. — On March 15, 300 8th graders spent their Friday at Carl Sandburg College’s Galesburg Campus, learning to live like 25 year olds for the day. It was part of the “Welcome to the Real World” event hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Regional Office of Education.
Students learned financial literacy and how to balance a budget.
“We can all think about that time we got a grown up paycheck and how far we thought $1,000 was going to go,” 4H Youth Development Coordinator for University of Illinois Extension Shelby Carlson said. “And as we know as adults, that doesn’t go anywhere.”
Knoxville Junior High 8th grader Major Gilbert chose a career in photography for the simulation. He wishes more financial literacy was taught in the classroom to help prepare kids better for the future.
“Overall, it’s kind of just been a little eye-opening for me,” Gilbert said. “Just seeing how different job opportunities can go and how some options that you think wouldn’t be that great, would be amazing.”
The students figured out housing, bought a car, paid for utilities and learned how to balance a budget. More than 80 volunteers, from small business owners to retirees, made the simulation possible.
“While these students may not really understand retirement and saving for college and buying a car and stuff like that … hopefully we are planting a seed that is going to ring a bell for them in their future,” Kathy Wight, director of career and technical education for the Regional Office of Education said.
Students also…
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