Students Gather for Career Jam Explore at TEC-SMART
Some of the students from the Glens Falls City School District who attended Career Jam Explore gather at the GlobalFoundries exhibit table for a photo with (left to right) Kate Manley, Career Jam vice president, Capital Region; Robert Brennan, GlobalFoundries senior member, technical staff; and Todd Shimkus, president, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce (Photo by Kris Qua).
MALTA — Career Jam hosted hundreds of eighth and ninth grade students from many schools on Wednesday at Career Jam Explore at TEC-SMART on Hudson Valley Community College’s North Campus in Malta.
Career Jam Explore is designed to bridge the gap between students, local businesses, skilled trades, and educational partners. The event was supported by Saratoga County, which underwrote the cost for students in the county to attend free of charge, a press release states.
“It is exciting (to) bring so many students and businesses together as we strive to inspire and retain the next generation of workforce talent in our region,” said Ryan Van Amburgh, the founder and CEO of Career Jam, in the release. “Doing so is crucial for both economic development and ensuring household prosperity for students and their families.”
Structured for eighth and ninth-grade students, Career Jam Explore offers an opportunity for young learners to discover a diverse range of local career pathways through interactive activities with professionals from various industries.
The event kicked off with a “Prep Rally” featuring a DJ, t-shirts, prizes, games, and trivia. Following the rally, students had the opportunity to explore over 50 exhibits showcasing businesses in the region, the release states.
Career Jam Explore includes a personalized survey from the Siena College Research Institute, identifying which career cluster aligns with each student’s interests, and analyzes their aptitude and learning style, the release states. Students also developed an elevator pitch and techniques to introduce themselves to businesses.
“Saratoga County is pleased to support Career Jam. This innovative event brings businesses and schools together in a fun and engaging way to help students explore the many career pathways that are available to them right here in the Capital Region,” said Saratoga County administrator Steve Bulger in the release. “Saratoga County’s robust economy is built on its strong workforce with education being a key building block to economic success. Career Jam is helping to build our future workforce by bringing these two important sectors together.”
Another Career Jam Explore event will be held Oct. 19 on Hudson Valley’s main campus in Troy. Students and businesses are invited to participate.
For more information about Career Jam Explore, visit www.career-jam.com.