Career Jam Explore links students to real-world job paths

MALTA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Around 700 students from more than a dozen Capital Region school districts participated in Career Jam Explore on Friday. It's a career-focused expo connecting eighth and ninth grade students with real world job opportunities.

At the expo, students were engaging with professionals from a wide range of industries in the Capital Region. They also got to participate in hands-on exhibits exploring a variety of career pathways.

Officials said it's so the students can gain insight into opportunities that go beyond school.

"We have some amazing employers here who are looking for that talent and skills pipeline, and basically, the students who get trained here and elsewhere are going to be the future of our workforce, so we're just connecting the future workforce with the employers that need them," organizer Jonathan Ashdown said.

The event was held at Hudson Valley Community College's North Campus, but officials said they're hoping to expand the program to other parts of the region soon.