It isn’t often where police officers, firefighters, horticulturists, educators, realtors, journalists, medical practitioners, social workers and so many other jobs can be found under one roof.
But such was the case Wednesday morning and afternoon at the Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, as the second-ever Christian County Public Schools Career Expo took students out of the classroom — and put them in front of regional business leaders for an up-close-and-personal look at careers in south western Kentucky.
Hoping to find their way to graduation and beyond, CCPS freshmen had a chance to visit with at least 70 different options available either in, or near, Christian County.
This includes a pair of baseballers in JB Payne and Griffen Meacham, the former hoping to pursue a life in aeronautics engineering, the latter looking to build a construction business capable of handling general contracting.
The duo called the gathering “good for Gateway Academy preparation,” “good for the community,” and a great opportunity to figure out what they’re going to do in post-grad exploration.
Another set of freshmen, Kaylee Ray and Alayna King also have their eyes set on careers.
Ray is looking to attack something involving arts and humanities — think interior or fashion design — while King finds herself one day working in the medical field, maybe as an anesthesiologist.
Already, both are thinking through the curriculum necessary for these types of careers.
The Career Expo didn’t just have freshmen seeking translations on the meaning of life. Several CCPS seniors were on hand as event assistants, themselves diving into the mix — despite graduation and the next step quickly approaching.
Currently working for Forcht Broadcasting with a passion for agriculture, Hopkinsville High School senior Mollie Goode said she took great advantage of the day — and wished something like this had been around when she was coming into high school.
A footballer and track & field senior at Christian County High School, CJ McCarley is also a member of Men2Be — who is hoping to possibly pursue both a realtor’s license, and the education needed for a sports medicine degree with a minor in business.
He knows this would require no less than six more years of school. And, difficult as it may be, the Career Expo allowed him to have this conversation — as it followed a recent Men2Be field trip to a house near Novadell.
CCPS Student Transition Coordinator Sandra Hancock beamed that year No. 2 for this event surged past expectations — and early returns from last year’s inaugural effort are already paying dividends.
And that’s the kind of switch that can change lives.
Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight called the Expo “great for students and the community,” while Hopkinsville City Councilwoman Brittanie Bogard said she talked with several students about social work at the Murray State University kiosk — many of them suggesting better litter control and the construction of a free teen center as beneficial upgrades to the community.
