After being separate events for the past 12 years, two opportunities to help students learn about careers are being combined into one.

The inaugural Career Exploration Day is set for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12 at Seymour High School’s auxiliary gymnasium. It’s open to eighth-grade and high school students from all Jackson County schools.

Real World Career Day was conducted annually in March until 2016 when it was moved to the fall due to weather. Industry Possibility and Opportunity Day always had been in April.

Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. partnered with the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce on the 21st Century Business program with JCIDC responsible for Real World Career Day. The 21st Century program, however is no longer taught at the middle school.

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By combining the two events together, the eighth-graders will still be able to participate in a career fair, but now, the Seymour Middle School eighth-graders also will tour Seymour High School and Owl Manufacturing, said Jody Deckard, workforce partnership coordinator for JCIDC.

“Visuals are always good for eighth-grade students as well as adults,” she said. “The SHS administration goal is to make high school less intimidating and more interesting and exciting, sparking the student to step out into an adventure at high school. Hopefully, the tour will help in this area.”

Career Exploration Day will feature representatives from more than 30 local industries, businesses, trades, organizations, services and educational institutions.

Eighth-graders and high school students will have an opportunity to learn about career opportunities, summer internships, summer jobs and full-time employment upon graduation.

“It is a great learning opportunity for all the students to see all the industries, businesses and retailers in their hometown and county,” Deckard said. “These kids need to be exposed to this type of career event, especially when it is offered in their own county and some of these students will be the future workforce of these participating industries, businesses and retailers.”

Deckard said the eighth-graders will see what industries make, how businesses help one another and provide a service to customers, skilled trades is a high-wage in-demand career and the choices they have available to them.

“I feel that same way toward high-schoolers, but I’m hoping the juniors and seniors will take the career event more seriously as their high school days come to a close and the real world is before them,” she said. “In past IPOD Days, students have been offered summer employment just because that student was outgoing enough to talk with an industry representative. There are a lot of great job opportunities for these students.”

To serve as an icebreaker, students will go to the different booths with a work-related or career-oriented question. If the participant feels the question is worthy enough, they will stamp the student’s card. After 10 stamps, the student can turn their card in to be entered into a drawing for prizes.

Juniors and seniors have been encouraged to bring business cards for summer job opportunities.

Deckard said she hopes the participants discover a budding student they want to nab as an employee.

“I hope they enjoy the wide-eyed eighth-graders as they come to their booths to discover what that respective participant does for a living, produces, builds, cares for, etc.,” she said. “As the participants answer questions, I hope they know they are planting seeds and one day will reap rewards for participating in this event.”

The new event is another way for JCIDC to educate the future workforce and introduce students to career possibilities.

“This is a new event. It is a bigger event,” Deckard said. “I know there will be some glitches somewhere along the way, but we will do the best we can, pray that it will all work out and take notes to make the next year run smoother. Hopefully, we will have a new and catchy name for the event next year.”

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What: Inaugural Career Exploration Day

When: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12

Where: Seymour High School auxiliary gymnasium

Who: Eighth-graders and high-schoolers from Jackson County schools

Participants: Aisin Drivetrain Inc., Aisin USA Mfg. Inc., Brownstown Veterinary Clinic, CDL Training School, Cummins Seymour Engine Plant, Excel Manufacturing Inc., Friendship Insurance, Girls Inc. of Jackson County, Goecker Construction Inc., Hoosier Uplands — AHEC, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, Ivy Tech Community College, JCB, Jackson County Emergency Medical Services, Jackson County Public Library, Jackson County Visitor Center, Lannett Co. Inc., Mactac, Milestone Contractors LP, O&k American Corp., Pet Supplies Plus, Purdue Polytechnic Columbus, Rose Acre Farms, Royalty Roofing, RR Donnelley, Schneck Medical Center, Schneider Plumbing, Heating & AC Inc.,  Seymour Animal Hospital, Seymour Fire Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Tubing Inc., veterans, Walmart Distribution Center and Winklepleck & Brock Funeral Home

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