On November 16, the future may become a little clearer for the 3,000 students expected to attend the third annual Guilford County Schools (GCS) Career Exploration Fair. Each of the middle- and high-school attendees will have a direct link to more than 50 businesses, plus the chance to take home a laptop computer.

Nanoengineering, medical science, banking and videography will be among the fields represented at the event, which will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum Special Events Center, West Wing A. The fair’s organizers, the Counseling Services and Career and Technical Education departments, encourage vendors to provide hands-on experiences.

“A lot of our students will read a career description, but they don’t really get it,” says Karen Meadows, GCS supervisor of K-8 counseling. “We really wanted to broaden their horizons, help them meet people and navigate what a company offers.”

Samet Corporation, a local construction firm, will return to this year’s fair, where they will once again provide real-life displays such as a brick-laying demonstration and a cement mixer.

Says Barry Kitley, project development officer for Samet Corporation, the fair is a way for companies to contribute to a student’s success. “It helps Samet expose students to trades that are in demand,” he says. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Attendees can enter to win a refurbished laptop computer courtesy of HandyCapable Network, and guests are encouraged to bring a canned food item to donate to a local food bank. While interacting with vendors, attendees will be entertained by student orchestras and other musicians.

“This event brings to life the many career opportunities available to students in our area, as well as opening the doors for exploration for the global market and workplace,” says Judy Harrington with GCS Career and Technical Education. 

For more information about the Career Exploration Fair, contact Karen Meadows at meadowk@gcsnc.com or (336) 370-2327.