By Kaylie Simmons
SCC Communications
In collaboration with Columbus County Schools (CCS), Southeastern Community College (SCC) will showcase local technical, public safety and healthcare career opportunities at its first ever Careers on Wheels event on March 23.
More than 3,400 CCS students ranging from kindergarten through eighth grades will get hands-on exposure to career fields that involve vehicles, technical equipment and mobile technology.
Split into three rotations for 90 minutes, kindergarten through second grade students will take the first round of interactions with industry partners. They will get to see and touch trucks and equipment that industry partners use, listen to explanations and ask questions about each career field. Third through fifth grade students will be bused in for the second 90-minute shift, and then sixth through eighth grade students will round out the event.
Partnered with Columbus County Schools
Columbus County Schools counselors helping coordinate Careers on Wheels are Crystal Cartrette of Old Dock Elementary, Heather McPherson Hayes of Williams Township School, Kristen Wall of Nakina Middle School and David Waddell of Acme Delco Elementary School.
The school counselors all agreed that Careers on Wheels was a joint effort to bring local businesses to one central location, so all schools would benefit. They said that it was tough for businesses to commit to several individual career fairs at each school, so Career on Wheels will take their place.
“We were amazed by our meeting the other day with Southeastern because they have taken this and ran with it,” Wall said. “We pull from the same resources, so it’s sometimes challenging or difficult to get people to commit to multiple days. We’re so excited to all be together at Southeastern with our K-8 students.”
Waddell added that it is never too early for a career day, and he is looking forward to seeing how Careers on Wheels plays out. McPherson said more exposure to careers equals better results and knowledge of options for students, and she was pleased that Careers on Wheels features Columbus County job options. Hayes explained that she was looking forward to seeing the faces and reactions from students while on campus, and she wants students to know the value of SCC’s programs.
“If they know they have something to look forward to, they’ll work hard to get there,” said Dr. Heather Pigott, CCS’s Director of Student Services. “This event will show that there is life outside of Columbus County Schools as far as expanding your mind, putting things into action and making it more tangible and real. This gives them opportunities to say, ‘I can,’ and that crosswalks back into their everyday activities in their educational process.”
Coordinated by SCC
“This event is important because it introduces these kindergarten through eighth grade students to possible careers and SCC programing at a young age,” said Dr. Chris English, SCC President. “When you’re young and interested in cars, hair or nails but don’t know what kind of careers go along with those interests, this Careers on Wheels event allows us to engage those students earlier especially those going into high school.”
English explained that earlier exposure gets students interested in the Career and College Promise program in addition to enrolling at Columbus Career and College Academy, an early college high school housed on SCC’s campus. He said that Careers on Wheels will meet the requests of industry partners who want students exposed to local careers at a young age.
“This will be a prime opportunity for industry partners to showcase what they do and ignite that curiosity and spark those questions from students,” English said. “This is their chance to be in front of a captive audience who may one day be their employees.”
For many Columbus County Schools students, Careers on Wheels will be their first time stepping foot on SCC’s campus. English said that first impressions are lasting impressions, and he is looking forward to seeing how the college impacts a student’s first exposure to facilities and programs on campus.
“Our programs are always expanding, and it just makes sense to have these students on campus with our industry partners,” said Angie Ransom, Associate Vice President of Education and Training. “With industry partner input, we are constantly shaping our programing based on their needs for employees. Our industry partners say they want earlier access to students because by the time they graduate, it’s too late.”
With this being the first Careers on Wheels event, Ransom said this will be a learning experience for the college, CCS and industry partners. In efforts to make Careers on Wheels an annual event, Ransom wants to add more industry partners and school systems to the mix in years to come. Ransom clarified that Careers on Wheels is not just for careers that operate out of big vehicles.
“This event is for any industry partner that can set up fun and interactive display tables to engage with the students,” Ransom said. “We’re hoping to have an industry partner here that represents every program on campus, and we’re inviting any industry partner that wants to come.”
Ransom is looking forward to seeing young students on campus and seeing what excites them most about careers and training options. With middle school students touring the early college building, she anticipates them touring the greenhouse and other technical training labs on campus as well. She hopes to collect feedback and reactions on this year’s event to make it bigger and better each year moving forward.
“The goal for Careers on Wheels is to create that messaging that there are high-wage careers in Columbus County, and there are means to get trained for those careers right here at Southeastern,” Ransom said. “We want to create a workforce pipeline and career engagement sooner, and you can’t get any sooner than kindergarten.”
Chalisse Neely, SCC’s Apprenticeship Specialist, is the point of contact for the Careers on Wheels event. Neely explained that industry partners will be asked to arrive at 8 a.m. and remain until 3 p.m. on the day of the event. This schedule ensures that all vehicles are parked and stationary prior to student arrival at 8:45 a.m., minimizing safety concerns.
“The event was initiated after Dr. Heather Pigott reached out to SCC’s Director of Apprenticeship, Denise Young, to share the wishes of Columbus County School counselors,” said Neely. “SCC is assisting with bringing those wishes to life by coordinating industry participation and supporting the overall event planning.”
If your business is interested in participating in Careers on Wheels at SCC on March 23, contact Neely at 910-788-6433 or chalisse.neely@sccnc.edu for more information. You can also rsvp directly here.
