Local HS seniors explore career possibilities at RCC’s Randolph NEXT

Students gather around W.T. Brewer’s 1966 Ford F100, checking out the engine and the interior and even lying on the floor to catch a glimpse of the undercarriage. Brewer, the Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology Department Head at Randolph Community College, smiles. This is what Randolph NEXT is all about — sparking high school students’ interest in their future careers.

On Friday, April 12, RCC hosted the third annual Randolph NEXT — an event where local high school seniors learned about the career pathways at the College and a job fair for the community wrapped into one. A partnership among RCC, Asheboro City and Randolph County school systems, Uwharrie Charter Academy, and NCWorks, Randolph NEXT started in 2022 as a way for seniors who are unsure about their next steps to see what is available at their local college and, hopefully, be inspired.

“I’m thrilled to see the immense success of Randolph NEXT,” RCC President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “It seamlessly blends our commitment to educating Randolph County’s future workforce and to community engagement. Witnessing local high school seniors explore the diverse career pathways available at our institution while providing a platform for our community members to connect with potential employers is gratifying. Randolph NEXT reinforces RCC’s vital role as a catalyst for personal and professional growth within our community. I extend my sincere gratitude to all those involved in making this event a resounding success.”

More than 140 local seniors visited various buildings on campus Friday, each exploring four different programs they had chosen. Information on college admissions and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with military recruiters, was on hand. The seniors also had a chance to see what jobs are out there locally at a job fair.

Asheboro High School’s Ietzel Ortiz started her visit in RCC’s Early Childhood Education Department before heading to the Allied Health Center to explore career options in healthcare.

“I’ve heard the Early Childhood program is really good,” she said. “I’m interning at a daycare right now, working with two-year-olds. Right now, I just don’t know, really. I’m leaning toward pediatrics nursing, but at the same time, I may want to do elementary teaching.”

Josiah Bowden, an Eastern Randolph High School senior, stopped at every table possible at the job fair after taking a tour of Agribusiness and Photographic Technology.

“I’m interested in agribusiness,” he said. “They’re building the [Farm, Food, and Family Education Center] off 64, and when that gets finished, that could be a good place for me to work.”

AHS senior Jose Rodriguez started with an introduction to RCC’s Welding Department before heading to the Allied Health Center to explore Radiography and EMS.

“It gives me a more visual idea of what my workspace would look like in the future,” he said.

Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs start throughout the year, both in person and online. For more information, call 336-633-0200 or visit www.randolph.edu and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.