Almost 2,900 students go hands-on at second Careers on Wheels event at SCC
Southeastern Community College hosted almost 2,900 students from Columbus County Schools and Whiteville City Schools on Oct. 22 for the college’s second Careers on Wheels event, where they explored career opportunities through hands-on activities, vehicle displays and interactions with local employers and industry professionals.
More than 40 businesses, organizations and SCC programs participated in the event, bringing 56 vehicles and equipment displays to campus and providing 63 business and industry representatives who engaged with students throughout the day. Displays were located throughout the parking lots surrounding SCC’s A-building, C-building and T-building and featured everything from a mobile command bus to bucket trucks, 18-wheelers, police vehicles, construction equipment and agricultural machinery.
The event built upon the success of SCC’s inaugural Careers on Wheels event held in March and marked the first time Whiteville City Schools students participated. Throughout the day, students climbed into vehicles, explored equipment, asked questions and learned directly from professionals working in a variety of career fields.
According to Tina Little, Director of Career Technical Education and Federal Programs for Columbus County Schools, students remained engaged throughout the event while exploring industries they may not have previously considered.
“I observed students having fun while learning about different careers,” Little said. “They enjoyed the hands-on activities, asking questions and exploring new career opportunities.”
Little explained that Careers on Wheels provided opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world careers while exposing them to future possibilities.
“Careers on Wheels allows students to explore careers through hands-on experiences, learn about different jobs and discover their interests,” Little said. “It also gives employers an opportunity to interact with students and inspire future workers.”
Feedback from educators was overwhelmingly positive, according to Little. Teachers and administrators appreciated seeing students engaged in career exploration activities and learning directly from local employers and industry representatives.
“The K-5 Careers on Wheels event brought learning to life and inspired students to think about their future careers,” Little said. “I have heard all positive feedback from teachers and administrators. They especially enjoyed seeing students engaged in hands-on activities and learning directly from business and industry professionals.”
Students interacted with representatives from a wide range of industries, including public safety, emergency services, health care, transportation, utilities, agriculture, automotive services, construction and workforce development. Participating organizations included Brunswick Electric Membership Corp., Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, Whiteville Police Department, Whiteville Rescue, Chadbourn Klondyke Rescue, N.C. Department of Transportation, Honeycutt Produce, McKenzie Bus Lines, Tabor Correctional Institution, Truist and numerous local businesses and SCC departments.
The event’s impact was evident throughout the day as students moved from display to display, exploring equipment and learning about the jobs that help keep their communities running.
According to Kristen Wall, school counselor at Nakina Middle School and one of the event’s coordinators, Careers on Wheels encouraged students to ask questions, make observations and discover new interests through hands-on learning.
“It was exciting to watch our K-5 students explore the different vehicles, equipment and careers represented at Careers on Wheels,” Wall said. “At this age, students are naturally curious, and it was wonderful to see them asking questions, making observations and learning about the important jobs people do in our community.”
Wall explained that the interactive format gave students opportunities to experience careers in ways they may not encounter inside a traditional classroom setting.
“The hands-on experiences gave students an opportunity to see, touch and explore things they may not encounter every day,” Wall said. “Their excitement and curiosity made the event a memorable learning experience.”
The event provided benefits for both students and employers, Wall explained. Students gained early exposure to a variety of career pathways, while employers had the opportunity to connect with future generations and share insights about their industries.
“Careers on Wheels was a valuable opportunity to introduce our youngest learners to the world of work in a fun and engaging way,” Wall said. “Meeting employers and exploring different vehicles helped them begin to understand that there are many different jobs and career paths they can pursue as they grow.”
Teachers and administrators also recognized the value of bringing real-world learning experiences to students at an early age.
“The feedback has highlighted the value of providing our youngest students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences,” Wall said. “Teachers and administrators understand how important it is to expose children to new experiences, build their curiosity and help them begin recognizing the many ways people contribute to our community.”
For Wall, one of the most rewarding aspects of helping coordinate the event was watching students discover new possibilities for their futures.
“My favorite part of helping coordinate Careers on Wheels was seeing the excitement and wonder on the students’ faces as they explored the different vehicles and learned about the people who operate them,” Wall said. “Watching their eyes light up, hearing their questions and seeing them discover something new made all the planning worthwhile.”
The event also provided Whiteville City Schools students with their first opportunity to participate in Careers on Wheels.
According to Susan Watson, career and technical education director for Whiteville City Schools, student enthusiasm remained high throughout the day and extended beyond the event itself.
“It was a great day,” Watson said. “The students’ excitement was evident throughout the event. There were smiles, laughter, and lots of great questions at each station.”
Watson said she was encouraged by how engaged students were with exhibitors and the lasting impression the experience appeared to leave on many participants.
“What stood out to me most was that the impact lasted beyond the event itself,” Watson said. “Students I know personally were still talking about their experiences several days later, which showed me that the event made a lasting impression and gave them something meaningful to think about.”
Watson explained that Careers on Wheels gave students an opportunity to explore careers available within their own communities while helping employers connect with future generations.
“Careers on Wheels was important because it gave students the opportunity to explore local career opportunities in an engaging, hands-on and age-appropriate setting,” Watson said. “It allowed them to see firsthand the many career paths available in their own community and to begin imagining what their futures might look like.”
Watson said the event also benefited employers by allowing them to share their knowledge and experiences with students while highlighting the important role their industries play in the community.
“There is something special about seeing a child’s eyes light up as they learn about a career for the first time,” Watson said. “Experiences like Careers on Wheels can re-energize employers and remind them that the work they do every day can inspire the next generation.”
Watson said teachers and administrators praised both the event’s organization and the collaboration between SCC and local school systems.
“The feedback I have heard has been very positive,” Watson said. “The public schools and Southeastern Community College did an excellent job working together to plan and coordinate the event.”
Watson said educators were particularly pleased with the variety of industries represented and the smooth movement of students throughout the day.
“Teachers and administrators have expressed excitement about the event and are looking forward to next year,” Watson said. “I think the success of this year’s event has built on the foundation already established and created even more excitement for continuing and growing Careers on Wheels in the years to come.”
According to Kesha Brown, school counselor at Whiteville Primary School, industry partners created a welcoming environment that encouraged students to engage with the exhibits and ask questions.
“The stations and vehicle operators were so friendly and wonderful with our students,” Brown said. “They generously shared their knowledge and invited the children to step in and onto the vehicles for hands-on tours and real interactive experiences.”
Brown said she was impressed by the quality of students’ questions and the willingness of employers to share information about their careers.
“I also observed our students asking very relevant, thoughtful questions, and all of the questions they had were thoroughly answered by the employers,” Brown said.
As an elementary school counselor, Brown explained that Careers on Wheels provided students with valuable exposure to careers they often discuss during the school year.
“I frequently talk with them about jobs and careers, but being able to physically interact with and engage in these careers firsthand provides incredible exposure,” Brown said. “Plus, getting to experience it on a college campus is an amazing added bonus.”
Brown said teachers and administrators praised both the planning behind the event and the experiences students gained throughout the day.
“The feedback from teachers and administrators has been positive,” Brown said. “Our principal, Pam Sutton, shared sincere appreciation for the planning, organization and preparation that went into making this such a wonderful experience for our students.”
According to Brown, the event’s impact extended into classroom instruction after students returned to school.
“Teachers were so inspired by the event that some used it as a writing prompt in their classrooms,” Brown explained. “Students wrote about what career they want to choose, what they enjoyed about Southeastern Community College and why, following their adventure at the college.”
Brown said she also appreciated the collaborative planning process that included school counselors from the earliest stages of development.
“I especially appreciated that school counselors were included in the planning process,” Brown said. “As school counselors, we know what our students enjoy and what truly helps them explore jobs and careers, so being involved allowed us to help catch and handle questions or issues beforehand.”
While students explored careers throughout the day, educators also gained ideas for bringing career awareness back to their classrooms.
According to Angie Ransom, SCC associate vice president, many teachers discussed ways to incorporate lessons learned from Careers on Wheels into future classroom activities. She said teachers praised the variety of vehicles, demonstrations and industry partners that helped bring career exploration to life for students.
Ransom explained that having vehicles, equipment and professionals on campus gave educators real-world examples they could reference when discussing careers throughout the school year.
“I felt like the industry partners were much more engaged this time because they knew what to expect and how to prepare for those younger students,” Ransom said. “I loved seeing all the happy smiling faces as the children climbed on our big 18-wheeler trucks used in Truck Driver Training, blowing the horns and sitting on the tractors near the Agribusiness greenhouse.”
Standing near the bus drop-off area, Ransom heard students discussing their experiences from the first Careers on Wheels event held in March. She said those conversations demonstrated the value of repeatedly exposing students to career exploration opportunities throughout their educational journey.
Ransom explained that multiple visits to campus can help students remember careers and become better prepared for the next phase of the program as they advance through school.
“So really, we’re not just expanding awareness to careers, we’re also creating awareness to the pathway that leads to that career,” Ransom said. “And this is all based on a model the school counselors provided us through feedback that said we need two events: one for elementary students in the fall and one for middle school students in the spring.”
Ransom said the spring open house event will expose middle school students to SCC degree programs, short-term workforce training opportunities and Columbus Career and College Academy.
College leadership also praised the event’s success and the collaboration between SCC employees, local school systems and business and industry partners.
Dr. Chris English, president of Southeastern Community College, said employers consistently shared positive feedback throughout the day and appreciated the opportunity to interact with students.
“As I walked around and interacted with our business and industry partners, all were thrilled with the event,” English said. “I never heard any complaints from them or the students.”
English credited the event’s success to the planning and teamwork of SCC employees and community partners. He specifically recognized employees who coordinated student transportation, parking logistics and campus safety throughout the day.
English said Careers on Wheels highlighted both the college’s workforce development mission and the career opportunities available to students across Columbus County.
“This event puts the spotlight on the work we do and the careers that are available to all our students,” English said.
Building on this year’s success, SCC will host an open house event for middle school students on March 11. Organizers also plan to expand the fall 2027 Careers on Wheels to include students from private schools, charter schools and homeschool programs across Columbus County. They said the event demonstrated the value of bringing education, business and industry together to help students explore future career pathways and the educational opportunities available to achieve them.
