Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce hosts 2025 Career Exploration Fair

The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 2025 Career Exploration Fair at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on March 4th and 5th. This marks the 8th year that the Chamber has organized this highly anticipated event, which saw over 1,200 students in attendance. Shawntel Baker, the Director of Membership and Education for the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed her enthusiasm about the significant growth of the event, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of how much we’ve been able to expand and improve the career exploration fair, creating even greater opportunities for both employers and students. This year’s event was our largest yet, and we’re excited to continue building on this success as we move forward!”

On Tuesday, juniors had the opportunity to participate in an engaging day designed to help them better understand their career interests. The day began with students taking the True Colors assessment, which helps them discover their personality type and how it relates to various career paths. They also attended a session on the importance of first impressions, an essential skill for any professional setting.

The following day, Wednesday, seniors kicked off their visit with a career interest survey, which allowed them to explore fields that align with their skills and aspirations. Afterward, they had the valuable opportunity to engage directly with professionals from various industries, gaining insights into potential career paths.

“The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Career Exploration Fair was an incredible success. Richmond High School was honored to be part of such a valuable opportunity for our students,” said Josh Amyx, Director of CTE, Alternative, and Adult Education at Richmond High School. “From Career Interest Surveys to a diverse array of Wayne County businesses, our students had the chance to explore the full range of opportunities available in the area. The volunteer speakers were both engaging and informative, and all the vendors were incredibly accommodating, sharing their knowledge and passion in a way that truly sparked interest in students throughout Wayne County. Bringing together the education and business communities in this way will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on both Richmond and all of Wayne County.”

Both juniors and seniors had the chance to explore over 50 booths from a wide range of employers located throughout Wayne County. These booths showcased the variety of

career options available to students right in their own community. In addition to speaking with employers, students were able to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences from VR headsets to sewing stitches that provided a deeper understanding of different industries.

Highlighting the success of the Career Exploration Fair, Chris Campbell of Blue Buffalo shared: “This was by far the best attended Career Exploration Fair that I have participated in.  So many engaged local students with such inspiring futures ahead of them.  Kudos to the Chamber for all their hard work putting this event together!”

In addition, Julie Arnold, Guidance Counselor at Hagerstown High School, shared, “The businesses did an excellent job of engaging with our students. They created interactive activities (or brought fun swag!) to draw students to their booths. Once they had their attention, they provided valuable information about their companies, the job opportunities available, and the qualities they seek in new hires. A big thank you to the Chamber for providing this invaluable real-life experience for our students!”
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The Career Exploration Fair serves as an excellent platform for students to not only interact with potential employers but also to explore their career interests, connect with local industries, and gain insight into the diverse opportunities that Wayne County has to offer.

Interested in being a part of the next Career Exploration Fair? Click Here for more information.

Find all pictures here: Career Exploration Fair
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