More than 370 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. Oct. 2 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 as well as how these industry experts achieved success. The career panel will be moderated by Abby Thomas, director of communications and development at the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.
The career panel will include the following industry experts:
Cody Basham, Klingner and Associates
Kaitlyn Damewood, McDonough District Hospital
Draven Leady, Quarter-Max Racing
Corissa Wright, Galesburg Police Department
Following the career panel, industry partners will have interactive demonstrations set up in the gymnasium, where students can explore career fields through hands-on activities. Participating groups include:
CBI Bank & Trust
Community State Bank
Dave’s Auto Body
Facilitating Coordination in Ag Education
Galesburg Area Vocational Center
Galesburg Fire Department
Galesburg Police Department
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Knox County 911
Knox County Clerk and Recorder’s Office
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court
Porter-Hay Insurance
Regional Office of Education No. 33 (child development)
Sandburg
Admissions Office
College of Nursing
Dental hygiene program
Information technology
Medical assisting program
TRIO Upward Bound
TRIO Upward Bound Math-Science
Welding program
Workforce Development & Community Education Department
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 150 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 Sandburg***
