Submitted article
Fifty students from the Willard Migrant Summer program participated in the 1st annual Career Exploration Day at Pioneer. Students from Kindergarten thru high school had the opportunity 
to explore many career options thru hands on activities. The focus of the day was to learn about careers, literacy, and technology all provided by the Migrant Education Center Grant.
This pilot program is collaboration between Pioneer Career and Technology, Willard City Schools, the Migrant Education Center and The Ohio Department of Education.
Pioneer programs provided activities for the students and highlighted career options in the following fields: Automotive Technologies, Carpentry, Computer Aided Drafting, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Graphic Arts, Homeland Security, Industrial Electricity, Media Communications, Precision Machining, and Welding.
Also emphasized was the field of auto racing that is a passion of one of the instructors at Pioneer. Cindy Bodkin was instrumental in the students receiving charitable donations of numerous items such as posters, hats, lanyards, and tote bags from Morgan Lucas Racing, Pendregon Racing, and the National Guard.
The participants’ literacy skills were enhanced through the use of the internet to examine job skills, working conditions and wages. They were also shown additional resources that are available for investigating career options. Each student received a literacy kit that will expand the development of their reading and writing skills at home. An instruction guide was included with the materials to improve parent-child interaction and communication.
Event participants came away with an increased awareness of career opportunities and a higher level of technology and literacy skills.