PORT TOWNSEND — “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” veterinarian Abbie Doll told students at Blue Heron Middle School’s recent Career Day.

The Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital veterinarian was among several presenters talking about what they do to make a living during the event.

Middle school students from Quilcene were bussed in for the presentations Thursday, which were sponsored by the Port Townsend chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Presenters with similar interests were paired so that students would receive more than one perspective on career fields.

When possible, there was also a mix of large companies such as Microsoft and Boeing with similar local entrepreneurial companies such as Mobilisa and Atlas Technologies.

Students listened to talks by Eric Curl of Boeing and Libby Urner of Microsoft, followed by a presentation about arts careers by Chuck Easton and Stephen Yates.

Students also heard presentations by Heather Flanagan and Chris O’Donell of Mobilisa; Garin Williams, city of Port Townsend Public Safety; and Bill Beezley, Steve Grimm, Peter Allen and Justin Fletcher of East Jefferson Fire and Rescue.

Other presenters were Seth Roland and Bryan Wentzel, carpentry/shipwright; and Tiela Dailey, veterinary medicine; Amy Irene Lynch and Kirsten Pickard, physical therapy and nursing; and Jed Bothell, engineering.

The AAUW has sponsored Career Day for 19 years. Funding is from the University Women’s Foundation of East Jefferson County, the AAUW’s philanthropic arm.