Davie County’s seventh-grade students recently got a jump start on career exploration with unique behind-the-scenes tours of several local businesses and manufacturers as part of Manufacturing Day 2024.
Students from North Davie Middle School toured Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., Pro Refrigeration, and Rise Indoor Sports, while students from South Davie visited Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, Davidson Davie Community College (DDCC), Reeb, and Ingersoll Rand. Middle-schoolers from Ellis experienced Dex Heavy Duty Parts, Fuller Welding & Fabricators, and Davie County Recreation and Parks.
Hosted annually, Manufacturing Day is a national event executed locally and typically focuses on manufacturing careers. The tours were the collaborative efforts of Davie CONNECT, Davie County Economic Development, Davie County Schools, and the Davie County business community.
Connecting Curriculum to Practical Opportunities
“Middle school students are the next generation workforce, and these tours expose them to career opportunities, show how their current and future curriculum ties to real-world careers, and ignite interest in their future,” said Carolyn McManamy, director of Davie CONNECT. “During the tours, businesses showcased the scope of jobs available at their facilities and discussed the requisite higher education or skills training needed.”
Over 400 students and staff observed many outstanding career opportunities available in the county. Business leaders provided informative tours, including examples of how their employees use math, science, technology, and communication skills. Students were intrigued by the emphasis on safety, the size of the facilities, the variety of jobs, the educational requirements, and the machinery used in the day-to-day operation of the businesses.
Inspiring Teachers and Empowering Students
“One of our main goals for our Middle School students in grades 6th through 8th is to provide engaging activities that promote career exploration,” said David Koontz, director of CTE and Federal Programs for Davie County Schools. “With our Manufacturing Day tours, our students have the opportunity to see firsthand the types of careers that are available right here in their own backyard. Our hope is that these experiences will spark an interest in what they may be interested in once they get to high school to choose the career pathway that aligns with those goals. It really helps them to make connections with the type of skills that are needed and what types of jobs are available here locally.”
Julie Snow, who teaches 7th-grade math at South Davie, said she is proud to be part of a county and school district that invests in their students like Davie does. “We are showing kids at a young age what opportunities there are once they move on from middle school. I always enjoy Manufacturing Day, especially when I see a kid who might struggle in the regular classroom realize that there are opportunities out there for them beyond math, math, math, reading, reading, reading. You get to see hope on a kid’s face.”
Business and industry participants appreciated the chance to showcase their facilities and the career opportunities they have to offer to this future workforce.
“The DCRP (Davie County Recreation and Parks) team was delighted to have the opportunity to share insight into the creative industry of recreation and parks,” said Recreation and Parks Director Paul Moore. “No matter the level an individual may enter in the profession as an associate, supervisory, managerial, or executive, the lasting impacts an agency can have are boundless for the community.”
This is the sixth year that Davie County has participated in Manufacturing Day, and McManamy is pleased with the great feedback she consistently receives from businesses, students, and teachers. She and Koontz appreciate everyone who helped make Manufacturing Day a success. “Aligning business needs with curriculum will ensure Davie County has a ready and able workforce to meet the challenges of businesses today and in the future.”
Early Career Exploration Initiatives
Davie County Schools’ commitment to comprehensive career exploration extends beyond Manufacturing Day, targeting students from fifth grade onward with grade-appropriate exposure inside and outside the classroom.
On May 13, 2024, 5th-grade students were bused to the Davie Recreation and Parks parking lot to experience Careers on Wheels. Students saw a wide variety of vehicles used in careers, including buses, trucks, emergency vehicles, mobile units, small yard equipment, and even a helicopter! Businesses that participated include 3W Roofing, Alex Grubb Enterprises, Caudell Lumber, Davidson-Davie Community College DDCC, Davie County Fire Marshal’s Office, Davie County Schools Transportation, Davie County Schools Human Resources, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, Davie High School Carpentry Class, Joe’s Tow, M & M Brush Control, Mocksville Fire Department, My Geek Technologies, NC State Highway Patrol, NC Trash Masters, Novant Health, RDG Construction, RH Lawncare, Topline Comfort Solutions, Inc, Town of Mocksville, Trailers of the East Coast, TRU Taekwondo, United States Postal Service and YVEDDI. The event was a collaboration between Davie County Schools, Davie Recreation and Parks, and the Davie Chamber of Commerce.
Last May, 6th graders were bused to Davie County High School to experience the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department. Students rotated through eight stations where high school teachers and students had activities set up to show students what CTE classes are like. Classes that participated included Agriculture/Horticulture, Automotive, Carpentry/Masonry, Health Science, Drafting, and Robotics. Students also had stations for Virtual Reality and DDCC/Ignite Davie.
This fall, 8th graders took a tour of the high school. In addition, they will create a personalized Career Development Plan using a platform called MajorClarity. This is a new requirement from the state for all 8th graders. These plans include sections on personality and learning styles assessments, career exploration, goal setting, and course planning.
Classroom as the Foundation of Career Preparation
While these outside events are impactful, the core of career preparation now occurs in the classroom. All fifth through eighth graders participate in a quarterly grade-targeted career lesson with Middle School Career Development Coordinator Stephanie Morris.
She explained that career exploration in fifth and sixth grade focuses on career awareness, such as what a career is, how people choose jobs, work environments, and skills. Sixth graders take their first personality assessment and discuss careers that match their skills and interests. Seventh and eighth grade revolves around exploring particular careers and building skills. Eighth graders also prepare to enter high school and learn about the high school, early college, course options, career pathways, and IGNITE DAVIE College Promise.
“Career Development is more than just showing kids jobs. It’s about helping the kids dream and plan about their futures,” Morris explained. “Our goal is to expose students to as many opportunities as possible, starting as early as possible. It’s important for the students to know that they can be successful in many different ways. Our job is to help them find the path to their success, whether that be in college, a trade school, or a future career after high school.”
