Welcome to the Real World: Event offers students opportunity to explore career paths

Real World Challenge — Approximately 300 eighth graders from Galesburg District 205 participated in an occupational journey Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, during the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration event on Carl Sandburg College’s Galesburg campus. (Photos courtesy Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College)

By Aaron Frey

Carl Sandburg College

Approximately 300 eighth graders from Galesburg District 205 embarked on an immersive occupational journey during the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration event Friday on Carl Sandburg College’s Galesburg campus.

The event, hosted by Sandburg in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension and Regional Office of Education No. 33, included the help of nearly 100 volunteers. It was designed to serve as inspiration to students’ aspirations and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future while introducing them to a wealth of career options.

The Welcome to the Real World portion of the event demonstrated the implications of career choices and financial decisions, empowering students with a better understanding of how their choices can impact their financial futures.

PHOTOS: Welcome to the Real World

Approximately 300 eighth graders from Galesburg District 205 participated in an occupational journey Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, during the Welcome to the Real World and Career Exploration event on Carl Sandburg College’s Galesburg campus. (Photos courtesy Bill Gaither/Carl Sandburg College)

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The Career Exploration portion, located in the Sandburg Theater and John Lewis Gym, offered students the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths from industry partners. A new twist for this fall allowed students to take part in a career panel of employers and participate in live, hands-on demos with area businesses.

Businesses, organizations and offices scheduled to participate were: