Thousands of Southwest Virginia middle school students took part in United Way of Southwest Virginia’s Ignite Careers Expo for Youth at the Washington County Fairgrounds, getting a hands-on view of local career paths.
More than 4,500 seventh-graders had the opportunity to experience interactive activities with more than 40 businesses from across the region as they begin to consider potential career paths ahead of high school. Forty-three middle schoolers representing the majority of the Class of 2028 of the entire Southwest Virginia region participated in the return to an in-person Careers Expo for the first time since 2019.
“After being virtual for two years, it was wonderful to see all of the students in person, learning from the businesses and seeing the businesses engage in activities and conversations with them,” said Crystal Breeding, Manager of Youth Success at United Way of Southwest Virginia. “Each time I see a student and business engaged and excited at a booth, it reminds me of why I’m passionate about helping the communities I serve.”
Businesses in attendance were able to directly reach and engage the students that will become Southwest Virginia’s workforce of the future.
Mohawk Industries, the leading global manufacturer of residential and commercial flooring products with a location in Hillsville, attended its first Expo. Chad Whittington and Michael Heiney were able to teach students about how they help to make the carpets that students see and walk on every day.
“A lot of kids were going, ‘Wow that’s neat. I never knew that.’ So it’s been a good day,” Whittington said. “It’s been a good learning process for them and it’s good for us.”
Chilhowie Middle School teacher Tyler Pierce watched as students ran from business to business, helping connect the skills and lessons from inside the classroom to how they are applied after graduation.
“The kids had a great time. I think they really like to come out and see professionals as human beings and not just someone that you see doing their job,” Pierce said. “They got to meet with a lot of people today who are applying the things they’re learning in school, and it’s outside of the classroom so that interests them a lot.”
STEM and virtual reality were on full display with booths showing students how coding and computer skills can help fly drones, race remote control gadgets or even see careers through VR.
Wallace Middle School seventh-grader Isaac Harlow talked about his favorite activity at the end of the day.
“It would have to be VR,” Harlow said. “It was cool to use the controls to see stuff. I also enjoyed [VDOT’s] sand display. I had a lot of fun.”
UWSWVA’s Ignite program innovates for positive, lasting social change by creating sustainable solutions to address the challenges facing tomorrow’s workforce and through collaboration with government, business, nonprofit and individuals.
The 2022 Ignite Careers Expo for Youth is sponsored by The Rapha Foundation, Ballad Health, Food City, Universal Fibers, Utility Trailers – Atkins and Utility Trailers – Glade Spring.
