COAL TOWNSHIP - The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce's Business and Education Committee will hold its annual Career Symposium Thursday at the Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC).
The theme is, "Preparing Youth for a Bright Tomorrow," and this year's sponsor is McCann School of Business and Technology, Sunbury. The symposium runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The goal of the symposium is to expose teens to career opportunities in the region and to make them aware of the educational and skill requirements to attain their goals. The chamber also hopes to provide a forum to create a new community pride and awareness that will make the area more attractive and will enhance opportunities for regional growth.
Tenth-grade students from the following school districts are targeted through the symposium: Mount Carmel Area, Shamokin Area, Our Lady of Lourdes and Line Mountain, along with a few other student organizations.
Featured speakers include Marla Kane, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), speaking on career exploration, choosing a school to afford and paying for college; David Hall, speaking on "Peer Leadership-It is Your Responsibility;" Jack Richford, Shamokin Aikido Kai presentation during lunch, and Sarah Hoffing, McCann School of Business and Technology, speaking on "Being Smart with Social Media."
There will also be tours of the school and discussion about career opportunities and various short vendor presentations by NCCTC, Luzerne County Community College and Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Eighteen vendors will be part of the related career fair. They will display career and educational opportunities that exist for students preparing for various career fields and educational opportunities.
Vendors include, Triangle Tech, U.S. Army, PA CareerLink, Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties, Shamokin Aikido Kai, PHEAA, Empire Beauty School, Mount Carmel Township Police Department, Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, McCann School of Business and Technology, NCCTC Culinary Arts, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Central Susquehanna Opportunities Inc./Community Action Agency, Northumberland County Behavioral Health and Intellectual Development Services, Professional Drivers Academy, Laborers District Council of Eastern PA/Joint, Strong Industries and Luzerne County Community College.
Door prizes will be available for students.