Eighth Grade Career Exploration: Inside the World's of Work Expo

Our conversation for The Valley Business Today with Shayla Rickard, Business Retention Manager for Frederick County Economic Development Authority to discuss the upcoming Worlds of Work (WOW) Expo. This event, happening on October 11, 2024, at the Wilkins Athletic and Event Center at Shenandoah University, is an eighth-grade career exploration program. Originally for seventh graders, the event now targets eighth graders and hosts about 3,000 students from seven school divisions. Shayla explains the origins of WOW, modeled off a southern program, and highlights its purpose—to give students a hands-on look at various careers available in their area. The expo includes industries like agriculture, manufacturing, IT, and healthcare. With employers providing interactive activities, students get to experience a day-in-the-life scenario for different jobs. We discuss how the event allows local businesses and industries to showcase the diversity of roles within their fields. I share anecdotes from previous expos, demonstrating how the event helps students think beyond typical job descriptions. For instance, kids learn that radio stations need more than DJs—they require salespeople, engineers, and programmers. The conversation also touches on how the WOW Expo encourages students to consider different career paths and sparks new interests. Shayla mentions the robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in Frederick County, aiding students in making more informed decisions about their future careers. We also talk about the logistics of participating in the expo. Businesses interested in being exhibitors can register easily and no fee is involved. There is a hospitality suite and lunch provided for exhibitors. Shayla highlights the variety of participants they've had in the past, from large corporations to small local businesses, underlining that all sorts of industries are welcome to join. Learn more on their website: https://www.explorefrederickcareers.com/partnerships/wow