Students climbed into ambulances, tested their ability to handle emergency calls, watched police K-9s locate hidden contraband, touched and tested manufacturing equipment, interacted with livestock and discovered careers they may not have considered or even known about during the 2026 Career ChoICE Youth Expo on Oct. 7 and 8.
Organized by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and held at the Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, the annual event connected 2,931 students from across Southern Virginia with employers, educational institutions, training providers and public agencies representing dozens of industries and career pathways.
“This year’s Career ChoICE Youth Expo created hundreds of moments where students could see themselves in a future career,” said Jessie Vernon, Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Learning at IALR. “The excitement, curiosity and engagement we witnessed over these two days was incredible. Every student participant gained valuable exposure to opportunities available right here in Southern Virginia.”
Throughout the two-day event, students moved between interactive exhibits showcasing careers in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, public safety, utilities, transportation, government, hospitality, forestry and many other industries. The experience allowed students to engage directly with professionals, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities available throughout the region.
Each student also received a take-home booklet with more information about regional careers and training pathways, including data on education requirements and earning potential.
Career ChoICE By the Numbers
2,931 students attended
5 school divisions and 2 private schools participated
59 employers, agencies and training providers exhibited
70 interactive exhibits and activities were available
238 volunteers supported the event
Hands-on Learning Sparks Curiosity
Some of the most popular attractions involved public safety careers.
Students stepped into the role of emergency dispatchers using a 911 call simulator, responding to mock emergencies and learning how dispatchers make critical decisions under pressure.
“The students love it. We’ve had a line here,” said Julie Morrison, a telecommunicator with Martinsville-Henry County 911. “They think it’s fun, they learn a lot, and they see how it is under pressure and how to respond to the different kinds of calls we take.”
Several law enforcement agencies showcased equipment and career opportunities while answering students’ questions about training requirements and daily responsibilities. Students tried on tactical gear and asked questions about different career opportunities.
“The students have been impressive. They’ve been very inquisitive; they’ve asked a lot of thought-provoking questions,” said Marcus Gravely, Senior Trooper with Virginia State Police.
The Martinsville Police Department’s K-9 demonstration drew large crowds as students watched the dog repeatedly identify which of the eight boxes around him contained contraband.
“Student interactions have been very good,” said Sgt. Jason Griffith, Community Resources Sergeant and K-9 handler with the Martinsville Police Department. “It’s great to interact with the younger generation. We want to build these positive relationships with the community.”
Healthcare organizations also welcomed students through hands-on activities that taught basic life-saving skills and introduced them to careers in the medical field. At multiple stations, students practiced hands-only CPR, including demonstrations held inside an ambulance.
Healthcare professionals discussed nursing, emergency medicine, radiography and other healthcare careers while guiding students through activities.
“I love working with the kids,” said Greg Meadows, Cardiovascular Service Line Director for Sovah Health. “I teach them hands-only CPR, but also talk to them about what I do as a nurse and what we do in the cardiovascular realm.”
Meadows, who has participated in Career ChoICE for about eight years, said the interactions are very positive, and he can often tell when students’ interest is sparked during the activities and conversations.
“I’m looking into the eyes of future healthcare professionals,” he said.
Meghan Price, Clinical Instructor with Sovah School of Health Professions’ Radiologic Technology Program, said Career ChoICE provides an important opportunity to introduce students to healthcare careers available close to home.
“I think it’s important for the community to know what they can do right here in Danville,” Price said.
Sovah School of Health Professions offered several interactive stations, including skeletal models, radiographs, ultrasound simulators and other anatomy-focused activities.
Exploring Industries Across the Region
Students also explored careers that keep the region’s infrastructure running.
Danville Utilities and ElectriCities of North Carolina, which provides safety and training services for Danville Utilities, gave students a chance to handle specialized rubber gloves used by lineworkers and demonstrated how utility crews use hook systems to raise transformers and equipment.
“The interactions with students have been great,” said Mark Rigsbee, Senior Safety and Training Specialist with ElectriCities. “Now they have a good idea of what public power is and the careers in public power.”
Manufacturing, engineering and technology exhibitors filled Career ChoICE with hands-on demonstrations showcasing modern industry.
Students engaged with advanced manufacturing equipment, fabrication technology, robotics and engineering-related activities while speaking directly with professionals about career opportunities.
At a station from the SOVA Innovation Hub, students created personalized items using laser engraving technology and learned about entrepreneurship, product design and innovation.
“It’s important for kids to see that they have access to the tools and technology to make things themselves,” said Adam Reeves, Fab Lab Manager.
IALR also introduced students to Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM). This four-month training program prepares adult learners for meaningful, high-paying careers supporting the construction of naval vessels. Students saw a variety of manufactured components and heard about ATDM’s scholarships that cover tuition and furnished housing.
“When I was young, I didn’t know that manufacturing was even an option,” said John Smith, ATDM Manager of Training and Technology at IALR. “It’s important to give back and let students know these opportunities are here.”
As Virginia’s number one private industry, agriculture as well as natural resource careers remained an important part of the event experience.
Students interacted with livestock and animals, learned about farming operations and explored educational displays highlighting careers in agriculture and forestry. Organizations representing farms, agricultural businesses and the Virginia Department of Forestry helped students better understand how those industries contribute to the regional economy.
The transportation, automotive and heavy equipment industries were also represented by local dealerships and employers that showcased equipment and discussed workforce needs in their fields.
Connecting Students with Future Opportunities
In addition to employers, colleges, universities and workforce training providers helped students learn more about educational pathways available after high school.
Representatives from institutions across the region discussed degree programs, workforce credentials and career training opportunities designed to prepare students for in-demand careers.
“Most of the students are not aware of the opportunities available to them right now close to home,” said Adelia Suarez Harrison, Outreach Specialist at Danville Community College.
Janet Phillips, an Associate Professor of Music at Averett University, held “jam” sessions with students, who would play bongos while she improvised complementary tunes on the flute. In addition to showing the power of music, she encouraged the students to be curious, ask questions and explore.
“There are so many different careers here and so many people to talk with,” Phillips said. “Curiosity is one of our best assets.”
Students also discovered career opportunities within local government, public service and hospitality organizations. At the IALR Conference Center exhibit, students practiced creative napkin folding while learning about the hospitality industry and the variety of careers that support conferences, events and guest experiences.
Building the Future Workforce
For employers and educators, Career ChoICE offers an opportunity to help students see a future for themselves in the region while raising awareness of career pathways that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“The Career ChoICE EXPO provides our middle and high school students with hands-on experience at the diverse career pathways available right here in our region. Pittsylvania County Schools continues to participate every year because it bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world opportunities, inspiring our students to start thinking purposefully about their futures. We are proud to continue sending PCS middle and high school students each year to this event.” – Steve Mayhew, Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools
Throughout the expo, students were smiling, engaging, asking questions and eagerly trying new activities.
“Career ChoICE affords students the opportunity to explore a wide range of potential careers and helps them in choosing classes to take while in high school to reach their goals. It reinforces the importance of core classes as well as CTE classes. Meeting with the employers, military and college reps helps students see how these classes are intertwined. Employers get the chance to connect, show the opportunities available and explain why they went into this field and what students can expect.” – Joe Lee, Guidance Counselor, Gretna High School
“The students have been impressive,” said Marcus Gravely, Senior Trooper with the Virginia State Police. “They’ve been very inquisitive; they’ve asked a lot of thought-provoking questions”
From emergency response simulations and CPR demonstrations to utility challenges, manufacturing exhibits and agricultural displays, the event created thousands of moments of discovery.
By connecting students with employers, training providers and educators, Career ChoICE continues to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline while helping young people explore interests that could shape their future careers.
“One of the greatest benefits of Career ChoICE is showing students the variety of opportunities available to them,” Vernon said. “You can see those moments when they discover something new and begin imagining what their future could look like.”
Career ChoICE will return in 2027.
“I love coming out here every year,” said Smith, of IALR. “I’m looking forward to next year.”
