8th Grade Career Expo: A Hero's Journey

On November 24, 2025, CISE will host a special Career Expo for 8th-grade students, themed A Hero’s Journey, at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

Students will take part in two rotations, allowing for smaller group experiences that foster meaningful engagement in both career exploration and a historical tour. Each student will have 75 minutes to visit a variety of career tables featuring partners from the following industries:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Construction
• Government and Civil Services
• CISE-Partner High Schools
• Healthcare
• Information Technology
• Regional Colleges and Universities
• Vocations

In addition, all students will experience the ESCAPE! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad exhibit—a self-guided, interactive tour that uses storytelling, role-playing, and hands-on activities to explore the courage and perseverance of those who escaped slavery between 1830 and 1865.

We’re proud to partner with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and more than 50 industry, education, and vocation partners to inspire and empower our 8th-grade students from CISE-supported schools on their own heroic journeys.