Wood Dale's AAR welcomes children to work

Roughly 55 students from throughout the suburbs headed to AAR Corporation in Wood Dale Thursday for the national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work initiative.

And while children ages 7 to 13 did check out the offices of their parents or other relatives, officials with the aviation and aerospace company said the day was about more than just learning where they work.

"We try to connect the education they get in school and show how it can apply to real careers," said Tim Skelly, AAR vice president of human resources. "We want to show them that even though we do things like fix planes, they can do that or do other things that might interest them, like become a lawyer or an accountant, and still fit into a corporate setting."

As a result, children spent the day exploring the company from its front offices to its warehouse, and even learning from outside organizations such as the Wood Dale Fire Department, which had trucks on site for students to explore.

Maddy Perry, 11, of Cary has attended the event with her aunt, Jana Izral of Elk Grove Village, for several years. Maddy confessed the first event opened her eyes to her aunt's profession as a travel agent for hundreds of AAR workers in the country.

"I was surprised they have other jobs here," Maddy said.

And even though Roshana Krishnappa of Naperville is already certain she wants to be a doctor someday, the 10-year-old said she still loves visiting her dad's office in the Internet technology department each year. Her dad, Ram Krishnappa, said Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day is a tradition for the pair.

"This is one of the bonding times I get to have with her," he said.