29TH ANNUAL CAREER EXPLORATION DAY BRINGS EXCITEMENT TO KEARNEY

Heather Ullman
2 days ago
4 min read

The 29th Annual Career Exploration Day brought a buzz of excitement to the Nebraska Army National Guard Armory in Kearney on Wednesday, October 15, as more than 1,200 students and faculty from 41 schools across Nebraska came together to explore future career opportunities.

Hosted by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Army National Guard, the event was packed with energy and curiosity. Inside the Armory, students visited 83 exhibits and booths that showcased a wide range of industries, from healthcare and education to construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Each booth gave students a chance to get hands-on, ask questions, and see how their interests might turn into future careers.

Just outside the doors, the excitement continued with interactive outdoor exhibits that gave students a real-world look at the tools and vehicles used across different professions. Highlights included a helicopter, bucket truck, cement mixer, tractor, law enforcement cruisers, ambulance, armored vehicles, and truck driving simulators, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone who attended.

The day also featured three panel sessions with 18 local professionals sharing advice with groups of up to 100 students each, designed to help participants dive deeper into specific career clusters. The sessions highlighted six major pathways:

Business, Marketing, and Management
Human Services and Education
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Communication and Information Systems
Skilled and Technical Sciences
Health Sciences

Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch courtesy of the National Guard’s outdoor field kitchen, which served hamburgers and hotdogs for all guests. Generous community support helped make the event possible, including donations from Chesterman (Coca-Cola), City of Kearney Park & Recreation for parking assistance, Visit Kearney for nametags, Daylight Donuts and Barista’s Daily Grind for hospitality items, T-Mobile for wireless service, and the Nebraska Army National Guard for their facility, staffing, and outstanding accommodations.

Sponsorship support came from:

Raven Tech – Panel Room Sponsor
UNK College of Business & Technology – Cafeteria Room Sponsor
Associated Staffing – Bag Sponsor
Outdoor Legacy Advertising – Registration Sponsor

Proceeds from Career Exploration Day help fund the Chamber’s Student Leader Scholarships, awarded annually by the Business & Education Committee, one for a student attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney and another for Central Community College.

Next year marks the 30th Anniversary of Career Exploration Day, a major milestone celebrating three decades of connecting students, schools, and businesses across Nebraska. Plans are already underway to make this landmark year the biggest and best yet!

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