Chattanooga, Tenn. — Hamilton County Schools (HCS) celebrated the opening of the new HCS Career Exploration Center on Tuesday, September 29, providing students with a hands-on learning space to explore careers, discover their interests, and connect classroom learning to future opportunities.
Located at the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center in downtown Chattanooga, the Career Exploration Center will initially serve HCS sixth-grade students. Here, students will engage with interactive exhibits, equipment and technology, and career simulations designed to let them experience careers rather than simply learn about them.
“Middle school students don’t need to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives, but they do need opportunities to discover what is possible,” said Dr. Olivia Bagby, Director of Future Ready Students.
“This Center gives students the chance to try something new, learn more about themselves, and begin imagining what their future could look like.”
The Career Exploration Center is part of HCS’s larger Future Ready continuum, which provides students with career-connected experiences throughout their education. Students begin with Discovery opportunities in elementary school, move into Explore experiences in middle school, gain hands-on Experience in high school, and ultimately Launch into postsecondary education and careers.
The project was funded primarily through the State of Tennessee’s Innovative Schools Model grant, with additional support from Perkins Reserve and
Perkins Basic grants, Hamilton County Schools, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s office, and community and industry partners, including Volkswagen and EPB.
The September 29 ribbon cutting brought together students, educators, district officials, community leaders, and industry partners who helped bring the Center to life.
“The Hamilton County Schools Career Exploration Center is a reflection of what is possible when our schools, our district, and our community come together around our students,” said Dr. Justin Robertson, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. “Every aspect of this Center was designed with students in mind, creating opportunities for them to explore, discover, and begin connecting their interests to the possibilities ahead. I am thrilled to see our vision for the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center start to come to life as our middle school students utilize this space this school year.”
