Caption: Robeson County Career Center students William Bell, left, and Carlos Garcia led activities at the Automotive Services booth at the Robeson County Career Center Showcase Event.
LUMBERTON — Local eighth graders explored various career pathways during the Robeson County Career Center Showcase Event on Wednesday and Thursday.
Eighth graders learned about programs at the Robeson County Career Center through hands-on learning demonstrations and displays at the event held at the Southeastern NC Agricultural Events Center. Career Center students could be seen leading activities and sharing information about programs with middle school students.
“We want our students to know that they can be successful and that their success stories can start right here as they complete programs at the Robeson County Career Center,” said Herman Locklear, director of Career and Technical Education at PSRC.
The Robeson County Career Center is a vocational high school that offers programs that allow PSRC students an opportunity to graduate high school with credentials, certificates and skills needed to enter the workforce.
Program areas offered at the Career Center include Drafting, Electrical Trades, Welding, Plumbing, Automotive Services, Masonry, Firefighter Academy and more.
“We have seen students graduate and enter the workforce with certifications earned here. We also have seen students become successful and go on to work at jobs where they earn six figures,” Locklear added.
St. Pauls High School student Carlos Garcia and Lumberton High School student William Bell could be seen leading activities at the Automotive Services booth.
Both students take classes at the Robeson County Career Center and have a bright future ahead of them. Garcia and Bell have plans to graduate with certifications earned through the Career Center that will help them lead careers after high school.
Garcia plans to finish high school with certifications earned in Automotive Services and Electrical Trades.
He plans to have a career in electrical trades and a side job in automotive services, Garcia said.
“I just want to be a general mechanic,” Bell said.
Garcia enjoys being a student leader at the Robeson County Career Center Showcase and said this is his second year helping middle school students learn more about programs at the Career Center.
“It’s just cool to see that different kids enjoy seeing this and knowing they have a lot of careers around they could choose,” he said.
Red Springs High School student Jahiem Spikes could be seen at the Adobe Academy booth sharing information about Adobe Illustrator and how it can be used in creative projects.
Spikes, who is enrolled in Adobe Academy at the Career Center, is an aspiring music producer.
Humberto Pablo Aguirre, a Red Springs High School student enrolled in Firefighter Academy at the Career Center, said the showcase event can help middle schoolers begin to plan for their future.
“They can get interested in something here and it could possibly be something they want to do as a career,” Pablo Aguirre said.
He plans to earn certifications at the Career Center to become a firefighter. Pablo Aguiree said his goal is to become a fire marshal.
“This event gives our students opportunities to envision themselves in various careers and to begin working to achieve their career goals early,” said PSRC Chief Communications Officer Jessica Sealey. “We will continue to provide opportunities for our students to succeed both academically and professionally through educational programs that challenge them, excite them and prepare them for a bright future ahead.”
Students could be seen participating in an activity at the Masonry Program booth at the Robeson County Career Center Showcase Event.
Students could be seen participating in a welding simulation during the Robeson County Career Center Showcase Event. The event allowed 8th-grade students to learn about programs offered at the Career Center.