Nearly 2,000 eighth graders and educators from thirty-two surrounding schools attended the 2023 8th Grade Career Conference at Lake Land College to learn about future career options!

The event was hosted by Eastern Illinois Education for Employment Systems 340 and Lake Land College’s Perkins Department with support in planning by local WIOA partners. LWIA 23 staff, Business Services Outreach staff from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehab administrators also attended the festivities.

Afternoon and morning sessions were offered over the course of two days (March 30-31, 2023). Each session was kicked off by Brooks Harper, an author and motivational speaker. Students from thirty-five regional middle and junior high schools then moved to the career fair, circling throughout the Lake Land College Field House, visiting Career Presenters’ tables to ask questions and learn more about career skills and opportunities.

Almost seventy local businesses participated in the excitement. At the Conference, presenters engaged with students and informed them of various vocations’ educational/technical needs. The shared value for intentional career exploration from so many regional business leaders was inspiring. The local employers prove to be dedicated to providing students with accessible career opportunities within our communities. The opportunity benefited students as they prepared to transition to high school and select their classes.

Watch event highlights in this video then scroll through pictures from the event on LWIA 23 - Business Services Facebook post and Eastern IL Education for Employment System 340 Facebook post!

Offering a wide variety of career exploration opportunities enables students to prepare for their high school educational needs, ultimately affecting their college and career objectives. The LWIA 23 Business Services Team looks forward to the 32nd annual 8th Grade Career Conference on April 11th-12th, 2024!