The Regional Office of Education (ROE) #47 is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Pathway Playground event, offering a day of career exploration for eighth graders in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties. This year’s event will take place on Friday, October 18th, 2024, at Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) and is expected to welcome over 1,000 students.
The Pathway Playground provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with local businesses and explore the vast array of career paths available to them. Last year, over 70 businesses participated, showcasing their industries through interactive activities. This year, the goal is to have at least 100 businesses present, offering an even wider range of career exploration opportunities.
“We’re excited to continue building upon the success of Pathway Playground,” said Pathway Navigator Chanda McDonnell at ROE #47. “It’s an incredible opportunity for students to get hands-on experience and learn about exciting careers right in their own communities.”
Past activities have included:
- Installing windows in garage doors (Construction)
- Reporting the weather using a green screen (Media & Communications)
- Learning how to navigate a roundabout (Transportation)
These activities represent just a sample of the diverse career clusters students will encounter at Pathway Playground, including:
- Manufacturing
- Health Sciences
- Agriculture
- Information Technology
- Arts & Communication
- Human & Public Services
- Business & Finance
Call to Action for Businesses:
The ROE #47 Pathway Team is actively recruiting businesses from Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties to participate in this impactful event. Businesses interested in showcasing their careers to the next generation of talent can contact Chanda McDonnell ([email protected]) or Heather Waninger ([email protected]) by September 30th, 2024.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with future employees and inspire the next generation!
