The Community Education Center (CEC) partnered with Ridgway FSG Fifth Grade teachers for an engaging Career Day on Thursday, May 15th. The event provided students with the opportunity to explore various careers through hands-on activities led by local professionals.

Designed to spark curiosity and connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities, Career Day featured interactive sessions where students not only learned about different professions but also participated in activities that brought those careers to life.

Guest presenters included:

• Greg Macer, Community Education Center – Led a team building activity, demonstrating how strong communication and collaboration are essential in many workplace settings.
• Jake Pistner and Juliana Silveri, Elk County Conservation District – Presented an eye-opening pollution activity that emphasized the important role conservationists play in protecting our local environment.
• Stephanie Costanza, Free Form Technologies – Guided students through a creative 3D pen activity, showing how additive manufacturing and design technologies are shaping the future of modern industry.

70% of the students found careers that matched their skills or interest.  To reinforce the connection between each activity and the corresponding career field, students completed a reflection worksheet at the end of each session. This tool encouraged them to think critically about the skills they used, the careers represented, and how their interests might align with similar professions in the future. 90% of the students claimed that they were introduced to a new career they did not know about.

The students were surprised to learn “car products can be made out of a 3D Printer”, “there are jobs that involve going out into the forest”, “it’s important to keep the earth clean and healthy”, and “a lot of teamwork is used between the jobs”.

“We are always excited to work with Ridgway educators to introduce students to careers they may not have considered before,” said Amy Goode, Program Manager at the Community Education Center. “It’s never too early to start planting seeds of curiosity and helping students see the possibilities ahead.”

This event was organied by the Community Education Center’s DISCOVER Partnership. If you would like to share your career pathway or showcase your company with local students and be part of next year’s school programs, please contact Amy Goode  at the CEC (814) 781-3437 or amy@communityedcenter.com.