Garfield Heights Students Explore Future Pathways at E4Me Career Program
Cleveland, OH – October 24, 2024
More than 200 high school students from Garfield Heights and other Cleveland-area schools gathered at the ESC of Northeast Ohio on October 24 for the E4Me Career Program. Hosted by the ESC of Northeast Ohio in partnership with the First Ring Schools Collaborative, the event brought together students from across Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs, including Richmond Heights Local Schools, Garfield Heights, and Cuyahoga Heights Local Schools. The program aimed to provide students with insights into the various career paths available to them after high school, including employment, entrepreneurship, enlistment, and further education.
The career event featured over 30 panelists and presenters, each representing a different field, and all branches of the United States military. These professionals offered students a glimpse into their industries and encouraged them to think critically about their next steps after graduation. Some of the notable organizations represented included the Matrix Institute (for automotive technology training), Baldwin Wallace University, John Carroll University, Kent State University, MAGNET, ComCon (a computer and entrepreneurship firm), Love My Hair School of Cosmetology, RichMentality (a clothing line), and the Building Business Leaders of Tomorrow Today initiative. Additionally, representatives from Epicenter ABA Therapy, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, the FBI Cleveland office, and the Metroparks system participated in the event, giving students a broad view of potential career paths.
Throughout the day, presenters emphasized the importance of developing soft skills for workplace success. Many panelists stressed that young adults need qualities like a strong work ethic, integrity, responsibility, punctuality, effective communication skills, and professionalism. These skills, they said, are critical regardless of the career field students choose.
“We hope this day has inspired these students to think about their future in a new light and now have insight into making decisions on their next pathway,” said Tippi Foley, Career Pathways & Early Childhood Consultant for the ESC of Northeast Ohio.
With interactive sessions and diverse presenters, the E4Me Career Program provided students with not only information but also valuable guidance, supporting them in their transition from high school to the next stages of their lives.