Empowering Tomorrow’s Workforce Starts Here

The Career ChoICE Youth Expo is Southern Virginia’s premier hands-on career exploration event, engaging over 4,500 middle and high school students annually.

Coordinated by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Career ChoICE connects students with local industries and future career opportunities.

This event brings together education and industry to inspire purpose-driven career planning.

 

Career ChoICE Dates and Deadlines

The Career ChoICE Youth Expo is held every fall at the Old Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham.

The 2026 Career ChoICE Youth Expo will be Oct. 7 and 8! 

Get Involved in Career ChoICE

By the Numbers

44,141
Number of student participants in Career ChoICE (12 years)
14
Highest Number of School Divisions Hosted
52
Average Number of Employer Participants
250
Average Number of Volunteers

Get Involved in Career ChoICE

Learn How You Can Support the Event

2026 Career ChoICE Logistics 

We welcome participation in the following areas:

  • Employer activities and booths
  • Event volunteers
  • Sponsorships
  • Young professional profile 

The registration deadline for employer activities and event volunteers is September 23. 

Career ChoICE Info for Businesses 

For full sponsorship benefits, commitment of support must be provided by August 31. 

Sponsor Career ChoICE

2025 Career ChoICE Recap Thousands of Students Connect with Regional Employers

Key Information

FOR EMPLOYERS

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FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS

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FOR SPONSORS

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"Career ChoICE is my favorite event. I enjoy seeing the middle-schoolers and the high-schoolers engage with companies, businesses and organizations. It is hands-on. They get to experience, ask questions and learn more."
Audia Harris / AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, IALR
"It’s good for me to see the students happy. They come to our table smiling, wanting to learn. We show them our hands-on demo, and they think it’s extremely cool."
Kayla Roman / Process Engineer, Arkema
"We’re trying to show students that manufacturing can be fun and that there’s a mission behind it."
Wesley Cifers / Managing Director, ATDM
"The Career Expo showed me there are a lot of career options to choose from and things that are fun."
Christian Childress / Gretna High School Student
"We have had several students who came through here and ended up coming through our program. Anybody we can get enrolled is a huge success for us."
Meghan Price / Clinical Instructor, Sovah School of Health Professions, Radiologic Technology Program
"Over the years, we’ve gotten kids from the career expo that went on to be firefighters with the city."
Shelby Irving / Fire Marshal, Danville Fire Department
"“We want our students to have as many pathways as possible. I don’t want young people to think they’re pigeonholed into a certain occupation. Young people need to be able to dream and have a vision. That’s why Martinsville City Schools brings our students to the Career ChoICE Youth Expo…"
Zebedee Talley Jr., Ed.D. / Superintendent, Martinsville City Schools

Ask questions about Career ChoICE