The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomed almost 700 high school students from King George, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Stafford and Fredericksburg, including homeschool and private schools as well as college students from University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community College on Tuesday, February 14th for their 2nd Intern Expo, “Will You Be My Intern”. With 75 businesses representing a wide range of industries from around the region and 25 volunteers assisting with breakout sessions that included mock interviews and career assessments, the event was a huge success! Several businesses in attendance hired students on the spot as they were so impressed with the young talent in our community.
Dr. Sarah Calveric, Superintendent of Caroline County Schools said, “There’s nothing like being 3E ready, Employed, Enrolled or Enlisted and you can see that in action here at this event. Real world experience is where it’s at and when you are able to cluster all these resources and organizations in one place and help prepare students to be their best selves and do an elevator pitch, they are set up to gain the internship, externship and job shadowing that can lead to a full time career.”
Students that participated and attended the event have an opportunity to receive a $1,500 scholarship (3 available). Scholarship applications are due May 20th and winners will be chosen by the Workforce Now Selection Committee the following week with winners being notified June 1st.. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made to the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
A new subcommittee of student ambassadors, convened by the Chamber’s intern, also helped with direct student outreach and volunteered at the event. This event was hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with University of Mary Washington and sponsored by FABA, Bay Consortium Workforce Development Board, Matern Staffing, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Rappahannock United Way. Check out the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce YouTube page to see interviews with businesses and schools that attended the event HERE.
Left to Right- Dr. Sarah Calveric, Superintendent of Caroline County Schools and
Dr. Marci Catlett, Superintendent of Fredericksburg City Schools
Spotsylvania students arriving at the 2nd Intern Expo
Bay Consortium Workforce Development had virtual reality headsets for students to further
explore their career path
Students fill out a career assessment in one of the breakout sessions
Vendors interact with students
Matern Staffing provided an inflatable axe throwing station for students
Photo credit: Larry Stone of Larry W. Stone Photography and April Milupi of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce