VPMS Explore U - Career Day is a powerful way to help students explore future possibilities and connect classroom learning to the real world. Middle school is a crucial time for students to begin thinking about their futures, and events like Explore U help them discover new career paths, see the relevance of their education and start setting meaningful goals early. By meeting professionals from a variety of fields, students gain exposure to new opportunities, build confidence and better understand how their interests and skills can shape their futures.
In the morning, the students had the opportunity to visit classrooms featuring a wide range of guest speakers, including publishers, managers, dog trainers, entomologists, police officers, engineers, an automotive technician, and more. After lunch, they ventured out into the community, visiting places like The Biscuit Joint, SSM Physical Therapy, Christian Hospital, participating in community service at Fish Pot Creek and engaging in career-focused activities at Junior Achievement.
Students shared how much they enjoyed the day. Seventh grader Quentin Ford said, "It was a fun time learning about career paths that I didn't know were options." Eighth grader Jack Clark added, "Career Day was so much fun! I liked the robots and the dog trainers! If I wasn't going into high school next year, I would totally do it again!"
These hands-on experiences made VPMS Explore U - Career Day even more impactful, helping students see firsthand how different careers and community roles shape the world around them.
See all the exciting career opportunities our middle school students explored — click the photo!