Exhibition Spotlight: Journey from Initial Contact to Advance Exposure
Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina are leading the way in fostering career awareness among elementary school students. The district's commitment to intentional leadership development, career-related events, and partnership initiatives is shaping a new generation of students who are well-prepared for their future careers.
The 2025 CTE Career Pathway Fair, held at the county's agri-expo center, was a testament to this approach. Nearly 3,000 students from grades 5 to 12 attended the event, with an additional 1,600 fifth-graders participating in an exclusive scavenger hunt during the first hour.
The fair was packed with hands-on demonstrations and one-on-one conversations with professionals from various industries. A popular display was the Beta Box mobile technology lab, where students could fly drones and experiment with coding software.
Vendor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, praising the enthusiasm and questions from the fifth-graders. Future planning for the fair may involve suggestions for vendors to stagger tabletop freebies and provide more opportunities for one-on-one talks with employers for high school attendees.
On the high school side, more attention will be given to apprenticeship programs and workforce development efforts. Middle school students had the fair to themselves for the next two hours, followed by a lunch break for vendors.
The district's focus on early career exploration extends beyond the annual fair. Schools such as Eastover-Central Elementary and District 7 Elementary are noted for their nurturing environments that promote continuous learning, growth, and a sense of belonging. These aspects are critical for early career exploration, providing a safe and supportive foundation where elementary students can begin exploring interests and talents in a variety of fields.
Cumberland County Schools also collaborate with partners like District C to provide internships and real-world work experiences. These partnerships demonstrate a continuum of career exploration beginning in schooling years, which can influence elementary initiatives by creating awareness of future opportunities.
While specific detailed programs for career exploration exclusively targeted at elementary students are not explicitly outlined, the district’s overall focus on leadership development, community partnerships, and supportive academic environments reflects best practices that facilitate early career awareness in elementary schools.
Creating age-appropriate career awareness activities, fostering partnerships with external organizations for mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities starting at higher grade levels but with pathways building from elementary grades, and establishing a supportive and inclusive school culture are all key practices that can help young students understand different career possibilities and nurture their interests from a young age.
This integrated framework prepares students for success and engagement in future career-focused experiences as they progress through their education. Principals have confirmed a positive experience, and they've received save-the-date notices for 2026, indicating a continued commitment to early career exploration in Cumberland County Schools.
- The 2025 CTE Career Pathway Fair, held for students from grades 5 to 12, showed the district's dedication to fostering career awareness among elementary school students, as evidenced by the participation of fifth-graders in hands-on demonstrations and one-on-one conversations with professionals.
- Schools such as Eastover-Central Elementary and District 7 Elementary, with their focus on continuous learning, growth, and fostering a sense of belonging, are integral to the district's strategy of enabling elementary students to explore interests and talents across various fields, contributing to their career development.
- Cumberland County Schools' collaboration with partners like District C on internships and real-world work experiences creates a continuum of career exploration, starting in the schooling years, that can influence younger initiatives by highlighting future opportunities for career-and-self development.
