Mahoning ESC to Launch Virtual Career Exploration Series

CANFIELD, Ohio – The Mahoning County Educational Service Center is preparing to start a new career exploration series, providing students the chance to have monthly live conversations with area professionals.

The interactive sessions will include a live question-and-answer session between the guest and classrooms. Each sessions will be recorded to allow teachers to use the video in classrooms later. 

Each month will feature a new profession. Currently scheduled are Boardman Police school resource officers Paul Poulos and Phil Merlo, as well as a special agent from the FBI.

““A virtual discussion will allow us to safely share the knowledge, experiences, and discussions of these experts with a much greater number of students than one guest has ever been able to reach,” said Ron Eggleston, lead career counselor at Mahoning County Educational Service Center, in a statement. “Each student we serve will have access to more first-hand information than ever before with the addition of recorded sessions into our database.”

The new series follows JA Inspire, a virtual career, trade and college fair held in collaboration between the Mahoning County ESC, its counterpart in Trumbull County and Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley. The Nov. 19 event drew more than 1,000 students from 35 schools.

JA Inspire hosted speakers from schools, businesses and skilled trade organizations for webinars covering topics ranging from soft skills to financial aid. Students could also discuss career opportunities and ask questions to representatives at the more than 50 booths representing skilled trades, businesses, schools and community organizations.

Teachers, students and parents will have access to the JA Inspire platform to view the recorded webinars and information available at the virtual booths through Feb. 19 at JAMVInspire.vfairs.com.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.