Some 3,000 eighth-graders from Hamilton County Schools will take a field trip this month that will introduce them to professionals in a variety of occupations and offer them information that will help them determine the training they need to be prepared for their future jobs.
The students will be attending the 5th Annual Career Crunch, a job awareness fair, held Nov. 15 and 16 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Chattanooga State Gymnasium.
“The Chamber is proud to present Career Crunch as one of its career awareness programs for public school students,” said Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Edd Wilson. “The program gives students the chance to meet people who hold jobs the students are interested in pursuing as careers. It also offers our businesses the opportunity to let our young people know what educational requirements are needed for various careers so the students can prepare themselves for the jobs of tomorrow.”
In 2004, representatives from some 60 area companies and nonprofits participated in Career Crunch. Occupational fields featured at this year’s event will include arts/communications, healthcare, human services, manufacturer/construction/transportation, business/marketing, hospitality/tourism and science/technology.
“There are so many career opportunities out there that many of our young people aren’t even aware exist,” said Briggs Smith, Hamilton County Schools’ director of career-technical education. “Career Crunch opens their eyes to traditional occupations, but it also exposes them to ‘little-known’ careers.
“Our goal as a school system is to graduate students who are well-equipped to meet the demands of college or the workplace,” Smith said. “Events like Career Crunch help motivate children to start thinking about the future.”
Businesses are encouraged to reserve an exhibit booth at Career Crunch by contacting Cathy Humble at the Chamber at 423-763-4321 or chumble@chattanoogachamber.com. Booth reservations are required.
Other Career Crunch sponsors are the Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Center, Chattanooga State, Gear Up Project – UTC, Hamilton County Department of Education, Men of Hope, Public Education Foundation, Southeast Tennessee Development District, Tennessee Army National Guard, UTC Center for Community Career Education, and UTC Office of Continuing Education.