More than 350 area eighth graders will embark on an immersive occupational journey during the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration experience from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 28 in the gymnasium on Sandburg’s Galesburg campus.
The event, hosted by Sandburg in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension and Regional Office of Education No. 33, inspires students’ aspirations and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the future while introducing them to diverse career options.
The Welcome to the Real World portion of the event simulates the implications of career choices and financial decisions, helping students better understand how their choices can impact their financial futures.
In the Career Exploration portion, students will hear from a panel of professionals in various career paths, allowing them to learn about necessary education and training while connecting with these industry experts and learning how they achieved success in their careers. The career panel will be moderated by Abby Colvin with Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.
Following the career panel, industry partners will have interactive demonstrations set up in the gymnasium so that students can explore career fields through hands-on activities. Participating groups include:
- Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education
- F&M Bank
- Galesburg Area Vocational Center
- Galesburg Broadcasting
- Galesburg Fire Department
- Galesburg Police Department
- Knox County 911
- Knox County CEO
- Knox County Clerk and Recorder’s Office
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
- Pegasus MFG, Inc.
- Regional Office of Education No. 33 (child development)
- Sandburg
- College of Nursing
- Dental hygiene program
- Information technology
- Radiologic technology program
- TRIO Upward Bound
- TRIO Upward Bound Math/Science
- Welcome Center
- Welding program
- Thrive Community Services
- Yemm Auto Group
This partnership between Sandburg, the U of I Extension and ROE No. 33 underscores the commitment of these organizations to provide students with exceptional opportunities for growth and learning. More than 100 volunteers will be part of helping area students throughout this career experience.
For more information or to assist with the event, contact Tracy Engstrom, coordinator of career development at Sandburg, at 309.341.5246 or tengstrom@sandburg.edu, or contact Shelby Carlson from the U of I Extension at srcarls2@illinois.edu.
***Courtesy of Carl Sandburg College***
