Classroom to Career is an opportunity for businesses to be paired with an area fourth-grade classroom to share about their business and future career opportunities, enhance learning environments and direct students toward life-enriching professions. With 39 participating classrooms during the 2021-2022 school year in USD 383, USD 320, USD 322, USD 323, Manhattan Catholic and Flint Hills Christian schools, this continues to be an impactful regional program to help prepare our future workforce for meaningful careers.
This program is designed to help students to begin thinking about careers in our region at an early age while strengthening the relationships between our Chamber members and local school districts. Businesses have the opportunity to visit the classrooms throughout the year and take students on field trip to their workplace or other field trips that may relate to the business. Chamber staff work closely with Classroom to Career Co-Chairs, Jayme Minton and Kiley Moody and partner with the Wamego Chamber of Commerce and Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation to implement and advance this program each year. The committee recently sent a survey to past participants and are implementing new program details this year based upon the feedback received. New program features include the following:
- Reduced rate to sponsor a classroom during the 2022-2023 school year for $400
- Highlight businesses in a new social media campaign to create greater visibility and recognition throughout the region
- Regular check-ins from the Classroom to Career team! This will include reminders, key checkpoints, how to access funds in the classroom, partnership ideas and more!
The sponsorship fee will be used entirely for the classroom. The fee is put towards bussing for the field trip and the remainder goes in a fund the teacher can use to enhance the classroom experience and provide incentives to excite students about learning. Businesses can identify the school district they would like to sponsor or if they would like to sponsor multiple classrooms. We encourage businesses of all sizes to participate! Businesses can sponsor one class, or pair up with another local business and split the sponsorship fee. The committee will collect the responses and pair businesses/organizations with corresponding school districts and teachers. These matches will be announced at the Classroom to Career Kick-off events in September.
We need your help to grow our future workforce and prepare young people for meaningful careers. Sign up to be a sponsor and learn more about the program here.