Over 1,000 students from the Rio Grande Valley recently attended the first Worlds of Work event to be held in South Texas.

Texas Workforce Solutions and South Texas College collaborated on the program in asking employers from across the region to provide exhibits and insights about their respective companies and industries. The students came from area high schools and middle schools to attend the hands-on event at STC’s Technology Campus in McAllen. The program was meant to guide students into career pathways.

“This is our region’s spin on what is a national event,” said Julio Salinas, a communication specialist with Workforce Solutions. “It was born here as this new entity so they can interact with those employers who will possibly hire them in the future.”

Worlds of Work is a national organization that partners with colleges and state workforce agencies in providing students with information about career options in varied fields. The organization’s events – like the one held recently in McAllen – are hands-on career expos designed for middle and high school students.

“You never know, this could lead to something you decide to do for life,” said Criztian Garcia, a Mission Junior High School student. “It’s all here for us. I feel like everything is on the table to find what we want to do in the future.”

Taking Next Step

The RGV students at the recent McAllen event represented 11 school districts in Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties.

The employers on hand were from diverse fields. Companies representing healthcare professions along with federal and local law enforcement and technology firms were present at the event. Opportunities in skilled trades, healthcare, and clean energy and technology are ranked among the top career choices for upcoming high school graduates.

The Worlds of Work events are laid out in clusters with exhibits featuring high-demand fields in construction, manufacturing, technology and public safety. Healthcare is also a field with a perennial need for trained and certified workers. These expos help regional employers address skilled worker shortages by introducing students to local job opportunities and training requirements early in their education.

Administrators at STC said the Worlds of Work event held on their technology campus was the first of its kind in Texas and builds on similar programs hosted by the college.

“We’re excited to see where this goes in the future,” said Joe Vela, the interim dean for STC’s Business, Public Safety and Technology programs. “Having these hands-on activities is very important because this could be the next potential step in their (students’) careers.”

Thankful For Partnership

Elizabeth Jalomo is one of those students looking to the future.

She is a senior at Progreso High School. Elizabeth’s goal is to have a career as a federal investigator. She sees the Worlds of Work event as one to open her mind to all the opportunities that are available after graduating from high school.

“This is just opening the door to all careers out there as I look ahead, but it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in,” Elizabeth said. “You must always take advantage of these opportunities when they are presented to you.”

Salinas of the Workforce Solutions says the first edition of Worlds of Work in the RGV is just the start of what TWC hopes these youth programs can become.

“We are thankful for the partnership with STC because the college opened the doors to us and has given us the chance to grow this even bigger in the years to come,” he said.

The South Texas College Public Relations & Marketing office contributed to this story.