The air may have been chilly, but Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) eighth-grade students were fired up for the Triangle East Chamber’s 2025 JOCO WORKS World of Works (WOW).
During the two-day event, held on the Johnston Community College campus, approximately 3,500 eighth-grade students had the opportunity to explore career possibilities from more than 40 Johnston County-based industries, including event sponsor Novo Nordisk, UNC Health Johnston, the North Carolina Forestry Association, and the Johnston County Sheriff’s Department.
JOCO WORKS WOW is a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming the way JCPS eighth graders explore future careers. For students who already have a career path in mind, they receive in-depth exposure to their desired field. For students who are just beginning to consider what they would like to pursue as they move into high school, the event is a first step towards a career path.
"By engaging directly with local employers, our eighth-grade students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available right here in our community.”
-Career and Technical Education (CTE) Workforce Development Specialist Kathryn Farrior
“Through hands-on experiences, students gain insight that helps them choose their high school courses more intentionally and begin planning for future career pathways that match their interests and skills,” Career and Technical Education (CTE) Workforce Development Specialist Kathryn Farrior said.
Upon arrival, each student received a JOCO WORKS WOW passport along with their mission for the event: travel to every exhibitor, ask engaging questions about their business or industry, and get their passports stamped. The passports were created to provide a diverse overall experience by encouraging students to explore multiple career paths. The students whose passports had all of the necessary stamps were entered into a drawing for prizes.
Every eighth-grader also received a small backpack at the event containing information on JCPS career pathways, including sample occupations, general education requirements, and average salaries within each industry. Additionally, the exhibitors provided small branded tokens to fill their backpacks as a reminder of the career opportunities available at their company.
JCPS students have the opportunity to take CTE courses directly related to many of the featured careers highlighted at JOCO WORKS WOW, with some classes located on JCC’s campus. The partnership between JCC and JCPS allows students to enroll in college classes while still in high school and graduate with an associate’s degree, and begin their careers in the workforce or continue their education at a four-year college or university.
Launched in 2019, JOCO WORKS WOW is an innovative, industry-led collaboration between Triangle East Chamber of Commerce, Johnston Community College (JCC), Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS), local government, and various business leaders to meet the growing needs of the workforce in Johnston County.
“JOCO WORKS WOW provides our students with an invaluable opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world careers. By engaging directly with local employers, our eighth-grade students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available right here in our community,” Farrior added.
Although Four Oaks Middle eighth-grader Ellie Penny already knows that she wants to pursue a career in the field of dermatology, she also found the recycling exhibition intriguing. Penny was also amazed at the number of career possibilities in her backyard. “Knowing that I don’t have to leave Johnston County to have a successful career means I can be close to my family and serve my community,” she said.