Some 3,000 eighth-graders from Hamilton County Schools will take a field trip in November that will introduce them to business professionals who will help them decide on a career and determine the training they need to be prepared for their future jobs.

The students will be attending the 8th annual Career Crunch, a job awareness fair, held Nov. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the UTC Arena.

"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 prospective careers and to talk to the students about job responsibilities, salaries, benefits and other information that will help them decide which career to prepare for."

In 2007 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 and more.

"There are so many career opportunities out there that many of our young people are unaware of," said Mattie Moran, director of workforce development and education for the Chamber. "Career Crunch opens their eyes to traditional occupations, but it also exposes them to 'little-known' careers.

"The goal is to help the school system to graduate students who are well-equipped to meet the demands of college or the workplace. Events like Career Crunch help motivate youngsters 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 Chattanooga State Technical Community College, Classical 90.5 WSMC/Southern Adventist University, Gear Up Project-UTC, Hamilton County Department of Education, I.B.E.W. Local Union 175, Men of Hope, Sequoyah High School, Southeast Tennessee Development District, Tennessee Army National Guard, UTC-Center for Community Career Education, UTC-Continuing Education.