Fox Cities News

More than 680 eighth-grade students from the Oshkosh Area School District attended the FutureYOU Career Expo at the Oshkosh Convention Center on November 12. The event, organized by the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce, aimed to provide students with insights into potential career paths.

The expo featured interactive activities that allowed students to engage in hands-on learning experiences. These included welding simulators for advanced manufacturing, healthcare demonstrations led by local medical professionals, technology workshops showcasing digital industry developments, and business simulations involving real-world problem-solving scenarios.

Students had the opportunity to interact directly with local business leaders. Professionals shared information about career progression paths, educational requirements, daily responsibilities, essential workplace skills, and current industry trends.

The expo emphasized high-demand careers in the Oshkosh region. Students learned about growing industries, salary expectations, local apprenticeship and internship opportunities, educational programs aligned with industry needs, and summer job opportunities.

Industry professionals provided insights into what employers seek in potential employees. Skills highlighted included critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, communication and teamwork skills, technical proficiency and adaptability, professional work ethic, innovation, and creativity.

Teachers observed increased student engagement in career planning discussions following the expo. The event underscored a strong partnership between education and industry in Oshkosh. It brought together local manufacturing firms, healthcare providers, technology companies, financial institutions, educational institutions, and professional service providers.

The FutureYOU Career Expo is seen as an investment in Oshkosh's future workforce by exposing students to career possibilities early on. The Oshkosh Area School District expressed gratitude to the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses for their contributions to making this event possible.