Your 14-year-old might be more career-focused than you think.
Gabriel Felkel, a student who attended the career fair, tells News 12 the careers he may want to pursue, "A chef, master chef, or culinary assistant."
Thousands of middle schoolers from across the county participated in a job fair where they got firsthand knowledge of their passions.
"It's helping me develop my career and what I want to be when I get older," said a student, Jayla Valentine.
"You get a firsthand experience into what they do--and not just what you hear," said Lindsey Moon.
Businesses from across the county, from industries that will affect the CSRA in years to come, like cyber, solar, and education--came to show kids a path forward.
"There's one young man I spoke to today--and he wants to be an accountant," said Yvonne Meeks, Community Development Manager SRP Federal Credit Union.
The school district itself was even present hoping to recruit for their future.
"Right now there is a teacher shortage in the state. So showing our students our passion for education--and getting them to even come back and teach,” said Denise Broome, ACPS HR Team.
Other employers say there's an even bigger picture.
"I realize they may change their minds several times,” said Meeks. “So I show them the value of education."
And that's true. According to the department of labor--students with a bachelor’s degree earn almost twice as much. They're also much more likely to employ at all. The students say they appreciate the district’s investment in their future.
"When you get older, you won't go into the real world unprepared," said Jayla.
READ THE REST OF THE WRDW NEWS 12 STORY HERE