Laurens County Hosts Exciting Career Showcase for Eighth Graders
This Thursday, students from Laurens County, South Carolina, will gather at Piedmont Technical College on the Newberry Campus for an exciting opportunity to explore potential career paths. Over 1,000 eighth graders from nine different schools will attend the Laurens County Development Corporation’s (LCDC) Career Showcase, which aims to connect students with local industries and educational opportunities.
What to Expect at the Showcase
The Career Showcase is designed to introduce eighth graders to various career options in their area. These students will experience a hands-on exploration of different fields, walking among numerous company booths and engaging with local businesses. Each student will be given a task card, ensuring they stay active and engaged during their visit. Whitney Lagrange, the Director of Marketing for LCDC, explained, “We want the event to be beneficial for everyone involved so the students will receive a card with different tasks and items to check off. It keeps them engaged and they’re not just walking through and picking up business cards.”
The Shift in Educational Interest
As students approach high school, they must begin thinking critically about their futures, especially considering their educational paths. In the past, a four-year college was often seen as the only option for success. However, that’s changing, with more students and parents considering other educational opportunities. Lagrange noted, “The four-year college might not be everyone’s cup of tea. We want to identify the students that might benefit from our other educational opportunities.”
Indeed, Laurens County has a wealth of options for students interested in manufacturing and trade skill careers. Approximately 50 percent of the county is focused on manufacturing, providing a real opportunity to build a career right at home. Yet, for this to happen, students and their parents need to be well-informed about these options.
Engaging Parents and Counselors
Understanding that communication is vital, LCDC is focusing on reaching out to both students and their parents. “We want to get students thinking outside the box and often times, parents lose a communication connection once students go to high school,” Lagrange mentioned. To counter this, the organization has been busy sharing information with guidance counselors related to technical and trade schools, helping them guide families toward the right decisions.
Creating a Talent Pipeline
Lagrange emphasizes the importance of fostering a talent pipeline that prepares students for the future. The ultimate goal is to inspire students to consider a wide array of careers they may never have thought about. By exposing them to various industries, LCDC hopes to broaden their horizons and empower them to chart their own paths.
Exploring Opportunities
Students attending the Career Showcase will not just learn about jobs; they will also discover opportunities for scholarships, dual credit, and other resources that can help set them on a successful path post-graduation. The showcase website offers a wealth of information on partnering businesses and career clusters, so students can find tailored opportunities that match their interests and skills.
A Bright Future Ahead
One of the standout programs highlighted at the event is ZF Transmissions, which offers a dual enrollment process allowing students to work with them during their junior and senior summers. After graduation, students can transition directly into a job, with ZF paying for their technical college education. This kind of program exemplifies the bright future that these ambitious eighth graders can look forward to.
As Thursday nears, excitement is building around the Career Showcase in Laurens County. With a full schedule ahead, students will explore a range of possibilities that could shape their futures. This event is not just a career fair; it’s an opportunity for students to visualize their paths ahead and to take those crucial first steps alongside their parents and guidance counselors.
