Atlantic Cape Hosts Career Exploration Fair at Cape May Campus for Wildwood Middle School Sixth Graders

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — More than 50 students from Wildwood Middle School’s sixth grade class had the opportunity to meet with and speak to career professionals in fields of interest to them during Atlantic Cape Community College’s 2nd Annual Career Exploration Fair at the Cape May campus on May 23.

The three groups of students, chaperoned by their teachers, advanced from table to table, asking questions to the respective career representatives, receiving free giveaway items, and learning what facets of each job make it unique from the rest.

Prior to the fair, the students submitted, to their middle school teachers, their favorite possible career choices. On hand were staff members from Atlantic Cape’s nursing, culinary arts, arts/technology/communication and internet technology fields, as well as local leaders in finance, natural resources, law enforcement, human services, education, health services and business/management/administration.

Giving the students, at a young age, the opportunity to speak with business professionals is crucial to cultivating a seed of hope in them.

“This is an incredible program. It is invaluable to the students to have them come here and experience the types of career opportunities that are available,” Wildwood Middle School Special Education Teacher Jonathan Long said. “The key is to start them young when they become passionate and want to do so much. If we start that career path early, when those plans are in their hearts, maybe they can make their dreams a reality before it’s too late and they are out of high school.”

During a live question and answer session, the students inquired as to how much income may be made, how many years of college were required, which colleges they attended and what kind of downtime do they get away from their careers. The theme and message to the students was to find a career that you love, choose the right college that fits your interests and remember that you will always be constantly learning.

Long is excited for what is to come.

“I really can’t wait to see the fruition of these efforts over the next few years.”

This collaborative event between the Wildwood Middle School and Atlantic Cape’s Workforce Development was made possible thanks to a three-year Middle Grades Exploration Grant offered by the New Jersey Department of Education through Perkins funding. Currently in its second year, sixth and seventh grade students are eligible to participate this year as the program aims to expose middle school students to possible careers of interest prior to them entering high school.

Learn more about Atlantic Cape’s Workforce Development at https://workforce.atlanticcape.edu/.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.