Young students ‘Envision’ the future
Oct 9, 2025More than 1,500 Rockingham County students had the opportunity to explore future career paths during the third annual Envision Youth Career Expo, held Oct. 2-3 at Rockingham Community College.
The two-day event welcomed every 7th and 10th-grade student in the county—including those from public, private, charter, community, and home schools—to engage directly with more than 50 local businesses and industries, as well as RCC program experts.
Students engaged in hands-on activities at stations in the gymnasium, the Owens Health Sciences Building, and the parking lot between the two.
The gym was filled with manufacturing booths, where students participated in virtual welding, robotics, electrical systems experiments, machining, and more.
In the parking lot, they learned about environmental careers, tried out power tools, climbed into heavy equipment vehicles, performed CPR, donned firefighting turnout gear and a bullet-proof vest, and more.
The Health Sciences Building housed booths where students could try on an oxygen mask, perform an intubation, draw blood, use a stethoscope, hold a simulated baby, try out virtual reality, ink their fingerprints, play with hair and makeup, among other activities.
RCC President Dr. Sylvia Cox said the expo gave students “the opportunity to explore career pathways close to home and begin imagining their futures.”
The popular event would not have been possible without the collaboration of Rockingham Community College, Rockingham County Schools, and Rockingham County Economic Development.
“When we work together with our community, we are most effective in making Rockingham County a great place to live, to work, and to play,” Dr. Cox said. “Our partnerships are the foundation for inspiring students and building a strong future workforce.”
She said events like Envision are life-changing experiences.
“When students engage with our faculty, staff, business partners, and community leaders, they begin to see the possibilities that exist right here in Rockingham County. They also start to feel at home on our campus, and they begin building connections that can inspire them for years to come.”
