Most companies have since reopened after the pandemic forced businesses to abruptly close their doors and transition their employees to telework. MBRT is grateful for the return to the office, which has given our Next Generation Scholars the opportunity to resume in-person Career Tours of local businesses after we needed to adapt our visits for the pandemic.
Instead of virtually connecting with local professionals, our sophomores have been able to learn about education requirements and what occurs during a typical workday while also touring offices and seeing workers in their professional environment.
“Without a doubt, the students consistently share their favorite part of the Career Tours is touring the different kinds of companies probably because they get to picture themselves in an office, at a manufacturing plant, behind the counter, or out in the field,” said Nona Carroll, MBRT chief strategy officer and director of the Next Generation Scholars program. “This immersive learning experience is one that graduating seniors often recall when trying to pick what they enjoyed the most throughout their Next Generation Scholars journey.”
Kent County kicked off the 2021–2022 Career Tours on November 29, 2021, with visits to Production Sciences, Washington College, Greenscapes Land Care and Luisa’s Cucina Italiana. The 33 students learned about careers in manufacturing, landscaping, hospitality, and education.
“I’m interested in learning more about landscaping,” said one student after a visit to Greenscapes Land Care. “I can’t believe it’s one of the fastest growing industries for women.”
In December, students from Caroline, Allegany and Dorchester counties toured their local businesses. On the tenth, 23 students from North Caroline High School and 27 students from Colonel Richardson High School visited Caroline County Public Schools, Caroline County Sherriff’s Department and Caroline County Office of Economic Development. At the Office of Economic Development, students learned about careers available when working for the government and participated in a questions and answer session with small business owners.
Half of the sophomores thought the Sherriff’s office was most interesting, prompting some to say they wanted to learn more about law and criminal justice in the future.
On December 14, 23 students from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School toured the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay and the Dorchester County Emergency Services. While at the hotel, students learned about careers in human resources, event planning and sales, culinary, engineering and golf. Then, they heard from Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce President Bill Christopher during lunch. At the Dorchester County Emergency Services, they learned about careers as an emergency management technician (EMT), a 911 dispatch operator as well as those in the Sheriff’s department and military.
“This trip was a bit of motivation to keep my eyes open and take a look at all the different things I can do and be,” said Journee Jenkins, a sophomore at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School.
Also, on December 14, 21 students from Fort Hill High School in Allegany County toured Webstaurant, CINTAS, and the Allegany Arts Council where they learned about careers in restaurant supply, manufacturing, and the arts. The experience gave all students the chance to consider their futures.
To round out the 2021–2022 Career Tours, Wicomico High School students will visit Delmarva Power and Salisbury University on January 25.
If your company would like to host students in a future Career Tour, please contact your local coordinator.
