Lt. Ryan Chamberlain and AM1 Matt Rhodes of the Navy Blue Angels team shared some advice and their thoughts on career paths with Morse High School students last Friday morning prior to the weekend of the air show.

The presentation was hosted by Jobs for Maine Graduates, a statewide program and a one-credit career preparatory elective at Morse that helps prepare freshmen through seniors for life after graduation.

JMG’s director of stewardship Linda Gardner said JMG is always on the lookout for presentations that will be helpful to students as they prepare for their future.

“The specialists who teach the JMG programs, as well as the students

… are constantly reaching out to business leaders and community leaders asking folks to come in and share their stories,” said Gardner. “It’s a great way for students to learn about career opportunities and to begin thinking about what they want their own future to look like and what it will take to get there.”

Both Chamberlain, the pilot for the Blue Angels Number 6 aircraft, and Rhodes, who handles jet repairs, spoke about their background and their experience on the Blue Angels team.

Throughout his presentation, Chamberlain encouraged students to “try to improve those around you.”

“It’s all about making this entire community, this country better by being a guidance counselor, a teacher … a police officer, a fireman … they all make this place better,” he said. “You don’t have to join the military to serve your country.”

Chamberlain also emphasized the importance of working together as a team through a football analogy.

“If the water boy didn’t take care of you guys the way you’re used to or the way that you like, it may affect how you play. It may not, but you don’t know that,” he said. “So if everybody does the absolute best that they can do, then that’s all you can ask for.”

As far as his own personal success, Chamberlain attributed it to working hard with a goal in mind.

“You need to work hard at whatever you do because as you work hard, the goals expand themselves and you have opportunities that open themselves up to you,” he said.

dkim@timesrecord.com