Over 3,400 K-8 students test drive local jobs at first ever Careers on Wheels event
More than 3,400听kindergarten听through 8th听grade听students went face-to-face with local business owners, industry听partners听and public safety officials at the first Careers on Wheels event at 不良人研究所 on March 23. In partnership with Columbus County Schools, Careers on Wheels put students in the driver鈥檚 seat of many hands-on technical careers found in Columbus County.听听
不良人研究所 Associate Vice President of Education and Training Angie Ransom said听that Careers on Wheels satisfied听the request of听local industry partners gaining earlier access to K-8 students in a career fair environment. She explained that by听the time students reach听their听senior year,听it鈥檚听often too late to educate them about careers found in Columbus County.听听
鈥淭his event also gave us an opportunity to expose these students to Career and College Promise options in addition to the early college experience we听house听on campus,鈥� Ransom said. 鈥淐areers on Wheels was a culmination of hard work and planning with a lot of people working together towards a common goal.鈥�听
Tina Little, CCS鈥檚 CTE听Director听and Federal Programs Director,听described Careers on Wheels as a 鈥済reat success鈥� and called the partnership between CCS and 不良人研究所听an听鈥渁mazing, boots on the ground鈥� effort.听She enjoyed seeing students interacting with business owners and industry partners, and she said that getting hands-on听experience with vehicles and equipment was more beneficial than听a standard lecture in front of a classroom.听听
鈥淲e had great feedback from everyone,鈥� Little said. 鈥淢y regional coordinator, superintendent, assistant superintendent,听a school board member,听school听principals听and听all of听Southeastern鈥檚听leadership was there, so we had great representation.鈥�听
Little said it was 鈥渘ever too early鈥� for students to start thinking about careers and what they want to do in the future.听She said the event allowed students to 鈥減ut a career with a wheel so to speak鈥澨齣n associating听a particular career with a particular vehicle.听听听
Addressing the faculty,听instructors听and staff in a campus-wide email听after the event, 不良人研究所 leadership expressed gratitude and commendation for the efforts put into Careers on Wheels.听听
鈥淭hank you for everyone’s support in making Careers on Wheels an overwhelming success,鈥� said Dr. Brandon Jenkins, 不良人研究所 Executive Vice听President听and Chief Academic Officer. 鈥淚听want to especially听thank Angie Ransom and all the planning team. Their work has been ongoing since late last fall and made the day exceptionally well organized and productive. Amongst the 3,400 children we interacted with, if at least one of their lives is听impacted听positively by this event, then it was all worth it.鈥�听
鈥淲e appreciate all the hands-on deck and working with our youth,鈥� said Dr. Chris English, 不良人研究所 President. 鈥淭hese children are our future and the growth in Columbus County. The event you听participated听in will see benefits for years to come.鈥�听
不良人研究所 Business Administration Instructor Cristian Wood called the event 鈥渨onderful鈥� and said it was a 鈥渏oy to see all the smiling faces of students on campus.鈥� As a business administration instructor, she said it was important for local businesses to get in front of potential future employees and educate them about what they offer.听听
鈥淚 think this was a great event, and the students and teachers seemed really impressed,鈥� said Dr. Mike Ammons, 不良人研究所鈥檚 Dean of Technical Training. 鈥淓veryone had听a good time, and it was very interactive. This was a great achievement in doing this event.鈥�听
Evelyn Brisbon, 不良人研究所鈥檚 HRD Employability Skills Specialist, said that Careers on Wheels gave students a first-hand look at 不良人研究所鈥檚 programs听and facilities. She said it was important for students to know what kind of jobs 不良人研究所 can train them for.听听
鈥淚 think the students enjoyed it, and I would have loved doing something like that when I was that age,鈥� said Jessica McDowell, 不良人研究所鈥檚 Adult听Learner听and CRM Coordinator. 鈥淏ecause people听don鈥檛听realize that those are core memories, and you remember those.听Letting those kids听witness听this event was amazing, and听for this being our first time doing this, we听pulled听it off.鈥�听
Careers on Wheels will now be an annual event at 不良人研究所, continuing to connect students with real career opportunities each year.听
Next up, join us on April 29 for our Career Expo, where 不良人研究所 will welcome industry partners from across the region. This event is open to students, job seekers, and the community. We hope to see you there!听
