Stepping Up Newsletter

Teachers@Work extern, Jojo Ambat at his externship with City of Rocky Mount Water Treatment Plant 

Highlights from Teachers@Work

Giving teachers a firsthand look at today’s workforce

This summer, our Teachers@Work educators stepped beyond the classroom and into local workplaces, gaining experience in high-demand careers across the Twin Counties. Through these externships, teachers explored career pathways, built relationships with local employers, and discovered real-world connections they can bring back to their students.

While their externships have wrapped up, the learning is just beginning. As the new school year gets underway, participants will incorporate their experiences into classroom lessons, helping students better understand the skills, careers, and Aureen Icban at Cummins opportunities available right here in the Twin Counties. In

November, they will present what they learned and their lessons with fellow educators and community members.

We look forward to seeing the lasting impact these experiences will have on classrooms throughout the school year.

"Having this firsthand experience allows me to bring real-world examples into the classroom, making career exploration more meaningful and relevant. My hope is that my students will see Nash County not only as a place they call home, but also as a place where they can build successful careers, contribute to their community, and put down roots for the future”. 



-Tiffany Denton, Southern Nash Middle School Teachers@Work extern with Nash County Tiffany Denton at Nash County Government

Government

Application Night Success

Making career connections that lead to success

STEP's first Application Night was a success, bringing together job seekers and local employers at Nash Community College and Edgecombe Community College. With 71 attendees participating, the event created opportunities for individuals to connect with companies, learn about available positions, apply on site, and take the next step toward their career goals. Following the event, 7 participants were hired full-time by ABB and LS Cable & System with the hopes of more to follow. This milestone highlights the impact of connecting our community’s talent with meaningful career opportunities.

Hands-on Learning in Agriculture

Victor Carrillo & Nathan Smith from SouthWest Edgecombe at Upper Coastal Plain Research Station

Connecting students to opportunities that inspire future careers in agriculture

Congratulations to Victor Carrillo and Nathan Smith from Southwest Edgecombe High School on their Students@Work internship with Upper Coastal Plain Research Station! Through this hands-on experience, they've been developing valuable workplace skills, exploring careers in agriculture and research, and gaining knowledge that will help prepare them for future success.

"By providing us with opportunities such as this and connecting us with people, I would say that I am prepared for the workforce."

- Victor Carrillo

Their impact has also been recognized by their internship host:

"The interns have a great attitude, show up to work on time, and willingly tackle every job they are asked to accomplish. We have been especially fortunate this year because one intern speaks Spanish, which has been a tremendous asset while working with our H-2A employees this growing season."

- Stephen 'Creig' Deal, Agricultural Research Superintendent II, Upper Coastal Plain Research Station

Experiences like these are helping students build confidence, gain real-world experience, and prepare for successful careers!

A Summer of STEM

Construction Camp at Edgecombe Community College

Marine Science STEM Camp at Nash Community College

Giving students the chance to learn, build, and create

STEP believes STEM learning should continue even over the summer! This summer, students who participated in STEP’s STEM Design Challenge received a full scholarship to attend STEM camps at Edgecombe Community College and Nash Community College. Just two examples of camps students could choose from were Construction Camp at Edgecombe Community College and Marine Science STEM Camp at Nash Community College. A big thanks to the STEM Design Challenge team sponsors who made this opportunity possible.

Through opportunities like these, STEP is empowering students to explore their potential and pursue futures in STEM!

Coming Up: Summit!

Join us at one of our most anticipated events of the year!

Experience a forward-thinking AI Summit that brings together industry leaders, educators, and innovators to explore the opportunities, responsibilities, and future of artificial intelligence in the workplace.