Students Inspire During Wacky Career Seminar at Webster Elementary

It may have been the wackiest talk to students I've ever taken part in, but interacting with Webster students earlier this week was a blast.

I joined one of my favorite Malibu residents -- Fireball Tim Lawrence (yes, that is his legal name) -- at the school Monday to talk about careers, at his invitation. More than that, Fireball Tim got the kids bursting with excitement over what they love to do and how to turn that into a fulfilling career. (Read Fireball Tim's account of the career seminar in his blog: Fireball & Friends Head to Webster for Some Wacky Career Seminars)

Fireball Tim (using the promise of candy) had a group of fifth graders jumping up and down to participate. He asked a simple question: What are three things you love to do right now as a kid? How can you transform that passion into a career? Love what you do.

For Fireball, he uses his artistic talents and endless imagination to draw and design. He's designed cars for movies, has a show on the Auto Channel and just came out with a special book about wacky rides for kids, "Fireball Tim’s BIG BOOK of Wacky Rides." The book takes ordinary objects and transforms them into incredible cars with personalities. Recently, he announced a new book about states, "Fireball Tim’s BIG BOOK of Wacky States."

During the talk, Fireball Tim had the kids help him take three simple objects and turn them into a car design. The students came up with "Chewie’s Bacca-Mobile!” As Fireball Tim described in his blog: "Chewbacca was driving a Hot Rod Papaya powered by Hot Fudge!"

To me, I could see clearly during that hour-long talk that is Fireball Tim's true gift -- his ability to transform the ordinary into something exciting, contagious and, yes, a little wacky.

When it was my turn to talk about journalism, the kids were engaged and interested to hear what I had to say. I explained how when I was their age I lived to read, write and ask questions about everything. I was pleased I could tell them that I still do something I love. I get to wake up each day and explore such an interesting area. I found my calling early in life.

What about you? Maybe take the lead from Fireball Tim and take a moment and think of three things you loved to do as a kid. Are you doing what you love or is it time for a change?