ATLANTA — What you can see, you can be. That's the message local companies gathered Friday at Atlanta Technical College hope local students will take away as they brainstorm for their future.
The career expo, hosted by the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s African American Partnership, is part of an ongoing effort to support youth, and a chance for students like rising ninth grader Leiland Dixon to explore potential careers in science, technology, engineering arts and math.
"What I'm looking forward to today is going to see AT&T, Delta, Georgia Power," Dixon shared, adding he's already developed an interest in coding.
Mentors and company representatives spent the morning meeting with the middle and high school students. The youth also getting the chance to join career seminars and mingle with the Black Porsche Club of Atlanta.
"Everyone here is to open up doors for you," Youlanda Mack, cabinet co-chair of AAP and a member of the Black Porsche Club, shared. "To inspire you to reach your potential."
As a young girl, Mack said she only only attended a few events similar to the expo. But those she attended made a lifelong impact, ultimately leading to a career in STEAM.
"When I initially joined the STEAM field, there were not many people that looked like me so I think it's important to expose the kids to these various opportunities because STEAM is intertwined with everything you do in life," she added.
Such events continue to be critical when it comes to reaching more youth. The United Way of Greater Atlanta's 2023 Child Well-Being report shows nearly 14,000 youth are outside of college and career pipelines. The expo, part of AAP's year-round efforts, help to close such gaps.
"We want these kids to know this is a field you can really be successful in and do anything," Mack added.
That reminder also echoed by Jennifer Person, who brought 50 students from the Future Foundation in South Fulton to attend the expo. For Person, the visit is just one more way to remind teens, especially those from underserved communities, what they're capable of.
"If we didn't take them to trips. if we didn't come to this event with African American Partnership, how would they know?" Pearson said. "How would they learn? How would they grow?"
"That's my biggest takeaway," she added. "Making that connection."
For Leiland, it's an effort that is already resonating.
"To show you how and why you can do this," he said of the day's importance. "To show you this is possible for everybody."
Learn more about the United Way of Greater Atlanta and its College and Career Ready programs here.