Home Future Students Current Students Former Students Parents and Family Employers Faculty and Staff

SkillsUSA and Career Expo 2008 Help Students Prepare for the Future

Updated February 25, 2008 - Columbus Technical College was bustling with activity Friday, February 22nd. Two big events on campus helped young people learn about future educational and career opportunities.

The College hosted over 100 area high school students in the annual SkillsUSA competition. SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health careers. The 9th – 12th graders hailed from high schools in Georgia counties throughout the Columbus Technical College service area.

Those who finished with both a first and second place award will compete in the state-wide competition in Atlanta in April. If they are successful in winning first place there, then it’s on to the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City in June.

In conjunction with SkillsUSA, the College also hosted the 2008 Career Expo. Middle and high school students from Muscogee and surrounding counties participated. This fun, hands-on learning event allowed students to operate equipment simulators and meet with industry professionals about a variety of careers, including construction, drafting, healthcare and metal-working. Students also received campus tours and information on Dual Enrollment opportunities.

If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Myers/Director of Communications at (706) 649-1290, (706) 681-8383 or email cmyers@columbustech.edu.

More information

Local media coverage

WTVM Channel 9 produced the following segment for the midday news:

High school and middle school students from the Columbus area got a jump start on planning their futures Friday.

The students were on campus at Columbus Technical College as part of a “Career Expo.” The Expo is sponsored by the College and the Muscogee County School District. More than 1,000 students attended the Expo, which was complete with tours and hands-on demonstrations about technical education. About 40 vendors were on hand. The students seemed excited about the chance to learn what’s out there.

“This is a way for students to become aware of the opportunities they have in the future for jobs,” said Walker Smith from Hardaway High School. Columbus Technical College also hosted the annual Skills USA event where students in their prospective fields like automotive repair, electrical engineering and cosmetology were able to compete.