MOUNT VERNON – Students operated a mini excavator, practiced surgical sutures, pulled a person from a simulated burning building, and held a mock press conference during a crisis, all in one day.

On Oct.7, 1,066 eighth- and 10th-grade students from all Knox County schools took part in Career Quest 2026 at the Mount Vernon Energy Fieldhouse. 

OhioMeansJobs Knox County hosts and organizes the annual youth career exploration event with the help of volunteer planning committee members from Kokosing Construction, The Ohio Eastern Star Home, Mount Vernon City Schools, Knox County Career Center, and Knox County Educational Service Center.

Students had access to 47 employer stations representing all 16 national career clusters, plus six career-ready soft skills stations and a virtual reality career exploration station.

To prepare, students completed a short pre-event curriculum in their own classrooms, provided by event organizers and led by their teachers. The activities helped students learn what to expect at Career Quest and arrive ready to make the most of their time at the event.

Hands-on learning at the event

Students practiced real skills across a wide range of fields. They:

  • Learned to operate a mini excavator through a game.
  • Practiced suturing wounds on simulated animal skin.
  • Experienced performing surgery on a laparoscopic surgical machine.
  • Learned to intubate a patient, operated the jaws of life, pulled a person from a simulated burning building, and how to perform infant CPR.
  • Assembled transaxles and measured brake calipers.
  • Learned how to handcuff a suspect and experienced simulated driver impairment.
  • Used a teleprompter to run a mock press conference during a crisis.
  • Practiced financial literacy and cash handling through games and simulations.
  • Explored a utility truck and practiced restoring power in a simulation.
  • Learned about skilled trades and union careers.
  • Sat at a simulated reporting desk with cameras and tried a green screen.
  • Had exposure to careers in social work, education, aviation, and STEM pathways
  • And much more!

At the soft skills stations, students learned how much they can save by shopping at a grocery store instead of a convenience store or using a food delivery app. They also took part in team-building activities and learned about dressing for success, communicating professionally, and why attendance and dependability matter in the workplace.

“Career Quest is about showing students that there are more paths to a good career than they may know about, and that those careers are within their reach,” said Brandy Booth, workforce development administrator at OhioMeansJobs Knox County.

“I spent the day walking around the event, and I saw students asking questions and trying things for themselves. We sincerely appreciate the exhibitors and volunteers for making that possible.” 

Students gain new ideas

Employers said the day made an impact. Most reported that students were very engaged and very well prepared, which reflects the classroom preparation teachers provided ahead of the event. 

One employer said the most rewarding part was “students getting to see a career they may think isn’t attainable and learning that it actually is.” Another said it was “helping kids realize public sector careers exist.”

“Our local teachers did the groundwork in their classrooms, and it showed in how ready students were,” Booth said.

At the conclusion of the event, student feedback was gathered. Students said they left with new ideas.

One student wrote, “I learned there are lots of career paths I didn’t know about.” Another said, “I learned that you don’t need a degree to work in the construction field.” A third shared, “Most jobs only look hard. It’s easier when you learn.”

In the student surveys, 223 said the day encouraged them to keep exploring because they are not sure what career they want. Additionally, 190 said it motivated them to explore a career path they never considered, and 210 said it reaffirmed the path they have already planned.

Career Quest would not be possible without the 47 employers and organizations who shared their resources and talent and the many volunteers who helped the day run smoothly. Local businesses and organizations provided financial support for the event.

OhioMeansJobs Knox County is the public workforce development system for Knox County. They are a division of Knox County Job and Family Services. They connect job seekers and employers and help support a trained local workforce to promote financial stability for families and strong businesses for the local economy. Job Seeker and Employers seeking workforce development services can visit their website or contact their office at 740-392-9675.