BCS Career and Technical Education’s (CTE)’s Careers on Wheels program was a huge hit this year, with more than 50 businesses and organizations in attendance.
On Monday, the parking lot of Biltmore Church in Arden overflowed with various tents and cars representing a huge variety of local industries, including energy companies, nature conservatories, first responders, food banks, drone operators, landscaping and building companies, and more.
“Careers on Wheels is a visual experience and, in some cases, hands-on with a variety of different businesses from different career pathways,” said Michele Smith, middle school CTE coordinator. “Students are able to visit with companies and explore vehicles. This format of ‘exploring careers’ is a great way for students to develop a greater career awareness.”
Students had a Careers on Wheels passport, getting a special sticker at each booth for asking career questions. Peering over displays and collecting the free branded swag, they asked questions about jobs - how many hours people worked, what their jobs were like, and what they might need to start doing now to get such a career in the future. The various vehicles housed all sorts of insights into these careers - from the insides of ambulances to the top of a cherry-picker, from a squad-car to the Duke Energy repair vehicle. The aim of the fair was to show how various vehicles were used “on the job.”