The Columbia County Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Columbia County School District, will host the Sixth Annual Career & College Expo on Thursday, March 6 at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown from 4:00PM until 7:00PM. The event connects area businesses, universities, and trade schools with area middle school and high school students, giving them the chance to explore career pathways beyond their senior year.

 “We’ve found that a higher level of interaction creates a bigger impact on the students who attend,” said Columbia County Chamber President & CEO Russell Lahodny. “Giving them the opportunity to utilize the technology and tools they could potentially use in their careers not only helps them visualize their career, but increases their chances of finding one that’s as enjoyable as it is successful.”

Two major companies have made commitments to incorporate some of their latest workforce development technology into the event. John Deere will be letting students try their hand at operating tractors through a virtual reality platform while Piedmont will be guiding them through medical simulations on mannequins. In addition to career-based experiences, students interested in continuing education will have the opportunity to explore dual enrollment and work-based learning offerings. 

In 2024, nearly 1,900 area students and parents along with over 100 colleges, universities, and businesses participated in the expo. This year’s expo is focused on creating hands-on, immersive experiences for those in attendance. Designed to educate both middle and high students and parents on the vast career opportunities available, this initiative aligns the educational, technical and trade sectors with businesses.

Those interested in registering for a booth or learning more about the Columbia County Chamber Foundation can visit the official Career and College Expo page at www.ColumbiaCountyChamberFoundation.org/career--college-expo.