More than 800 middle school students got an up-close look at future career opportunities during the RISE 8th Grade Experience West, held September 30 at Georgia Southern University’s Nessmith-Lane Center in Statesboro.

Students from Bryan, Candler, Bulloch, Effingham, Evans, and Screven counties spent the day meeting employers and exploring career paths through interactive, hands-on activities. Participating businesses were asked to provide a roughly five-minute experience that allowed students to actively engage with an industry rather than simply receive information.

The Chamber’s Erica Backus volunteered alongside the RISE team to help welcome and host students throughout the event.

The RISE 8th Grade Experience is designed to introduce students to career opportunities early, helping them connect classroom learning with the jobs and industries available throughout the region. By giving students memorable, hands-on exposure to local employers, the program is helping build awareness of future career possibilities while strengthening Southeast Georgia’s long-term workforce pipeline.

For more information or to volunteer for the next RISE 8th Grade Experience, click HERE.