Students at Tharptown will get a taste of their potential futures with an upcoming event designed for seventh through twelfth graders.

The first-ever Tharptown High School Career Day will be held April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon in the gym, and students will get the chance to hear from professionals in local businesses and industries like Tiffin Motorhomes, Clark Pulley, Community Spirit Bank and Pilgrim’s.

The Career Day is the brainchild of THS teacher Scott Vance, with collaboration from THS teacher and parent involvement coordinator Maletha Walker.

“I think he wanted to just make kids aware at a younger age what kinds of careers are out there and available to them,” explained Sherye Price with the Franklin County Development Authority. The FCDA has been assisting in coordinating the Career Day. “I think he’s just trying to give them some ideas.”

Vance teaches a career prep class at THS, and he said he was trying to come up with some sort of complementary event.

“I was looking for something to do as a project – a community project for our FBLA,” Vance said. “I thought something like this would be good, where we can all get involved in the career exploration – just involve the entire student body rather than just a few classes here there.”

Businesses at the event will have booths set up to talk with the approximately 300 Tharptown students who will filter in throughout the morning. Additionally, coordinated by Walker, a number of parents will be on hand to talk with students about their careers. Vance said it will be an important opportunity for students to get a sense of what some of their own career options might be.

“That’s what they’re here for – we’re mandated with preparing them for the future,” Vance said. “This is a first time for us to do this, and we’re kind of testing the waters out. Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout and a good reception.” With a successful event and positive feedback, Vance said he hopes to see the Career Day become an annual event for Tharptown.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Price said. “You have to know what career areas are available so you can research and decide what path you want to take – what your interests are.”