Hancock Welcomes 1,500 High School Students for Career Exploration Day
APRIL 1, 2022 -- Allan Hancock College hosted 1,500 local high school students and more than 100 area businesses at its 16th annual Career Exploration Day on April 1 at the college’s Santa Maria campus.
The in-person event offered participating students an opportunity to explore potential career paths and learn more about the college’s academic and career technical education programs.
“We want these students excited about their futures and exposed them to a wide variety of career opportunities Thomas Lamica, Hancock Project Director for Career Center & K-12 Partnerships. “They have the opportunity to talk directly with employers about the education and training they’ll need in order to get the career they want and learn how Hancock can prepare them for those careers.”
Students not only met with local businesses and Hancock faculty, but were also invited to tour Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, watch demonstrations from the college’s career and technical education programs and were treated to performances from Hancock’s dance and music students, as well as an “upcycle” fashion show from Hancock’s Fashion and Design Club.
“The opportunity has been tremendous,” said Kathleen Castillo of Popolo Catering, one of Career Exploration Day’s business sponsors. “To see the lights come on in student’s eyes and see that they are interested and excited about their possible careers has been very encouraging for me, both as a community member and business owner.”
Popolo was one of 34 businesses that sponsor this year’s event. Other sponsors included: 19six Architects; Adames Design Group; Alisal Ranch; the Allan Hancock College Bookstore; AHC Central Coast Cal-SOAP; Atlas Copco; Mafi-Trench Company; BrightStar Care of Santa Barbara; Cambria Estate Winery; Central Coast Orthodontics; Central Coast Truck Center; the City of Santa Maria; CoastHills Credit Union; Donahue Truck Center; Economic Development Collaborative; Fischer’s Fine Jewelry; Foxen Vineyard & Winery; Kia Santa Maria; Lompoc Valley Medical Center; MarBorg Industries; Melfred Borzall; Microwave Applications Group; Pepsi; Reiter Affiliated Companies; the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office; the Santa Barbara County Education Office; the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department; the Santa Maria Police Department; the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sauer Brands Inc.; Sherwin Williams Paint Company; Space Information Laboratories; Tom Brown Real Estate and Western Exterminator.
Summer and fall classes at Hancock are just around the corner. Summer and fall classes will be posted to the college’s online Class Search on April 11, and open registration will begin on April 30. Summer classes at Hancock start on June 13 and fall classes will start on Aug. 15. For more information, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/summerfall.
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Photo Caption: 1,500 local high school students travelled to Allan Hancock College to take part in Career Exploration Day on April 1.
