Over 800 Area Eighth Graders to Visit JALC on December 7 and 8 for a Career Fair

Published on December 4, 2023

John A. Logan College is hosting an Eighth Grade Career Fair on December 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the College’s Conference Center. Over 890 students from across the John A. Logan College district are expected to attend the two-day event.  

According to organizers, the purpose of the event is to expose junior high students to a wide variety of career options, allowing students to explore careers in a fun, hands-on “musical chairs” format.

“Each school group gets an hour to explore each of the career options, and students will switch tables every 9 minutes to learn about a new career,” said the Manager of Student Life and Recruitment, April Martinez.

In addition to John A. Logan College faculty and staff, several local businesses are participating as well.

“We are excited to have several local businesses that will be providing hands-on activities to get students excited about exploring career options,” said Martinez. “Farming using a virtual crop sprayer, auto collision using a virtual car paint booth, hospitality event planning activities, and wildlife conservation are just a few of the exciting opportunities that we have planned for the students.”  

According to John A. Logan College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet the Career Fair is just one of the many activities the College has planned in the coming months.

“We recently hosted a College Spotlight event focused on adult learners, and now we are shifting our focus to middle school students as they prepare for high school and college/career choices,” said Overstreet. “This event gives students an opportunity to begin to unlock their career options in a fun way.”

Overstreet added that in March and April, hundreds of area high school seniors will converge on the campus for Orientation.

“Our staff does a great job of planning the Orientation Days where students get all of their questions answered and leave with their fall class schedule, and the events this week are vital to building a relationship with students before they enter high school.”

Media inquiries can be made to April Martinez, Manager of Student Life and Recruitment at 618-985-2828, ext. 8240, or aprilmartinez@jalc.edu.