Career Insight Day 2024

Nearly 1,000 Okeechobee Students Explore Career Pathways at Annual Career Expo

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — On Friday, February 2, 2024, nearly 1,000 students from Okeechobee County Schools participated in the annual Career Expo hosted at the Indian River State College Dixon Hendry Campus. The event provided fifth, eighth, and tenth-grade students with an opportunity to engage directly with professionals representing a wide variety of industries and career pathways.

More than 40 professionals from Okeechobee and surrounding communities volunteered their time to share firsthand insights into careers spanning all 17 Career Clusters. Presenters discussed educational requirements, workplace environments, advancement opportunities, daily responsibilities, and the skills needed for success in their respective fields.

Students in eighth and tenth grades selected career tracks of interest and attended three rotating presentations throughout the day, while fifth-grade students were introduced to a broad range of occupations through interactive sessions and discussions.

“It was extremely encouraging to see the time and resources that local businesses are willing to invest in career exploration for our youth,” said Alex Tijerina, Director of Existing Industry for the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) and a member of the Career Expo planning committee.

Throughout the event, students learned about careers in engineering, construction, automotive technology, aviation, law enforcement, firefighting, graphic and video design, finance, business, logistics, veterinary medicine, manufacturing, healthcare, education, culinary arts, entrepreneurship, cosmetology, gaming, and many other fields.

“Connecting Okeechobee students with the local business community is a critical step in cultivating our future workforce,” said Kaylee King, President of the OCEDC and Career Expo planning committee member. “These interactions allow students to see leadership, professionalism, and soft skills in action while helping them better understand the opportunities available right here in our community.”

In preparation for the event, students completed career exploration activities through Xello, a career planning platform available to all Okeechobee County School District students. These activities helped students identify potential career interests and maximize their engagement during the expo.

“Any time we have the opportunity for students to learn more about careers and begin planning for their future, we are moving in the right direction,” said Daryl Roehm, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator for Okeechobee County Schools. “Our district currently offers 10 Career and Technical Education programs, and we are working to expand those opportunities. These programs help prepare students for both post-secondary education and immediate entry into the workforce.”

The Career Expo would not have been possible without the dedication of the many business and industry professionals who volunteered their time to inspire the next generation. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences continues to make a lasting impact on Okeechobee students.

The event was made possible through the collaboration of Okeechobee County Schools, the Okeechobee County Schools Transportation Department, Indian River State College, the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation, the Education Foundation of Okeechobee, and the Okeechobee County Retired Educators Association.

Together, these partners remain committed to fostering career awareness, workforce readiness, and educational opportunities that help students discover meaningful pathways to future success.