United Way of Northwest Georgia recently hosted the Career Exploration on Friday, November 15th.
We were able to partner with Georgia Northwestern Technical College to teach 600+ Dalton Public School 5th grade students about potential career options.
Students were greeted by United Way Board Member, Jeff Browne- Browne, Draper and Land; Amanda Burt- United Way President; Jennifer Phinney- DPS Director of School Support; and Heidi Popham- GNTC President.
They were able to hear from local members of our community about their occupations in Communications, Nursing, Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Logistics, Machine Tools, Diesel, or Welding.
This is United Way’s 3rd Career Exploration.
The idea was birthed by United Way Women’s Leadership Council co-chair, Dixie Kinard.
After being asked several years ago to speak to 5th grade students at Dug Gap Elementary School, Dixie saw the need to introduce the next generation of workers to different career options early in their education.
This event falls in line with United Way’s strategic guideline for education to get kids career and life ready by the time they graduate.
The event also aligns with GA Department of Education’s BRIDGE (Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy) Act, to create an atmosphere motivating students to see the relevance of education to their dreams and future plans.
One of the teachers who was present at the event commented, “Young people need to see college before they get to high school in order to believe they can be a part of the college experience. This event targets the age group that needs an introduction to college opportunities.”
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this event possible, and thank you Dalton Public Schools and Georgia Northwestern Technical College
for choosing to partner with United Way and make a difference in our community!
David Aft Northwest Georgia Community Foundation
Kip Allen Shaw Industries Group
Norma Barragan United Way of Northwest Georgia
Wayne Bell Dorsett Industries
Tony Benavides Marketing Alliance Group
Kenneth Bennett Material Handling Inc.
Rob Bradham Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce
Bill Brueckner* Shaw Industries Group
Tom Bundros Dalton Utilities
Jeff Burr Clan Cameron Cinema
Carl Campbell Dalton Whitfield Joint Development Authority
Dan Cole Mohawk Industries
Brian Cooksey Shaw Industries Group
Savannah Coquerille United Way of Northwest Georgia
Jack Dana Perpetual Machine Company
Hope D'Angelo United Way of Northwest Georgia
Jennifer Dean Shaw Industries Group
Lisa Defore Hamilton Health Care System
Cathy Ferguson Hamilton Health Care System
John Forrester* Hamilton Health Care System
Jason Gamel Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Sal Gonzales Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Judean Guinn Hamilton Health Care System
Brian Haynes Shaw Transportation
Jonathan Hays Textile Rubber and Chemical Company
Wayne Henderson Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Ronnie Huggins Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Kate Kranzlein United Way of Northwest Georgia
Bryan Macon Dorsett Industries
Lt. Juan Martinez Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office
Deana Mathis* Shaw Industries Group
Merinda McGill Engineered Floors
Austin Mitchell Enviro Guard
Ivette Moncus Georgia Department of Labor
Danny Morgan Perpetual Machine Company
Judge Cindy Morris Whitfield County Superior Court
Summer Mosteller United Way of Northwest Georgia
Seth Owen Hamilton Health Care System
Gabriel Perez Material Handling Inc.
Micah Riggle* Mohawk Industries
Carolyn Roan Coldwell Banker – Kinard Realty
Steve Roan The Americas for Rizzy Home Textiles
Amy Ross United Way of Northwest Georgia
Arely Sanchez United Way of Northwest Georgia
Joe Shelton Mohawk Industries
Phil Shirley Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Scott Spears Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Dr. Lee Strauss Hamilton Physician Group – Gastroenterology
Chris Swilling Machine Craft Inc.
Georgina Valderrama Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Dean Warrick Shaw Industries Group
Judge Rod Weaver Whitfield County Magistrate Court
Missy Wright Shaw Industries Group
Joe Young* Engineered Floors
Margaret Zeisig United Way of Northwest Georgia
*United Way of Northwest Georgia Board Member