A Fantastic Family Career Fest!

At the beginning of November, students from all across Washington County, along with their families, gathered for an event that opened their eyes to the limitless career possibilities right in their own backyard. BB2C’s Family Career Fest was more than just an event—it was an opportunity to connect students and their families with the community, the businesses that thrive here, and the diverse career paths that await them after graduation.

The event was a whirlwind of exploration with 70 local businesses and organizations represented. Students from 7th through 12th grade, and even some recent graduates,  walked through the doors of the Washington County Jr. Fair Building to meet professionals from fields and industries they might have never considered or realized even existed. From healthcare and manufacturing to technology and creative arts, the opportunities in Washington County—and beyond—were front and center.

One of the most exciting features of the event was the way it brought careers to life through hands-on workshops and mini-sessions. Students had a chance to learn about resume-building, practice interview techniques, and explore career clusters in ways that felt both interactive and impactful. Student feedback included:

Doing apprenticeships might help me plan my future.

This helped me by expanding my options and helping me to see different things I can do.

It made me want to do welding a lot more.

It gave me a lot of options.

It helped me with everything cause I had no idea what to do.

It made me actually want to go to collage and have a good job.

It gave me examples of options for future careers in Southeast Ohio.

[I] learned more about the community and the people.

I learned I was interested in banking.

I got more information about the job that I’m interested in.

Now I know what I want to do.

Very helpful - only in 5th grade but loved learning.

There were other jobs I had in mind before this but now I have different jobs in mind too.

It exposed me to people in the industries I'm interested in and gave me contact with people who could further assist in what I want to do.

It showed me how many different jobs are available around the area. They also gave me a lot of information about the jobs and how we can easily apply or do them.

This really helped me make sure I want to go into the medical field. I visited a couple different medical stands.

It showed me some career options I didn’t know about.

But Family Career Fest wasn't just about the students. The event also offered Career Kickstart Clinics, which were brief informational sessions for adult family members and students alike, covering topics such as scholarships, financial planning, and resources. These clinics allowed families to leave with practical knowledge they could use immediately to support their students as they begin planning for the future.

Jenna Stewart, Career Pathway Specialist with Building Bridges to Careers, emphasized how events like this help build stronger connections between students, families, and local industries. “By helping students and families see the range of career opportunities in Washington County, we're helping to build a workforce pipeline that benefits everyone,” she said. “It’s about making sure our students understand what’s available to them right now, and what steps they can take to get there.”

For many families, this event was the first step toward creating an action plan for post-high school success. Whether students were thinking about college, apprenticeships, or jumping directly into the workforce, the event gave them the tools and connections to move forward confidently. One business representative noted that “the students that were the most engaged were the ones that had an engaged parent. The parent was able to assist the student in communicating and understanding.”

Ultimately, Family Career Fest reflected what Building Bridges to Careers does best: connecting young people to their future. By showcasing local businesses, offering educational workshops, and providing guidance on next steps, the event truly demonstrated the power of community in shaping tomorrow’s workforce.

As this year’s Family Career Fest came to a close, the ripple effect was clear: students and families now have a better understanding of the careers that await them and the resources available to help them reach their goals. The event wasn't just a one-day success—it’s part of a long-term effort to equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to thrive in the careers of tomorrow. Parent feedback included:

It was nice to see and find different places where my child can find a career.

It helped me help my child make better decisions about his goals for the future.

[It showed] more readily available careers that can be sampled in a face to face or hands on basis, which is more engaging for teenagers. Concentrated events like this are game changers

Thank you to our 2024 Family Career Fest sponsors Ohio SE/JobsOH, Southeastern Ohio Port Authority, Appalachian Children Coalition, The GRIT Project, Micro Machine Works, The Washington County Career Center- Adult Technical Training, Washington State College of Ohio, Miba, and Dough Boys Pizzeria. Thank you to all of the businesses that participated. See more information about Family Career Fest 2024 here. Email info@bb2careers.org with questions.