Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton PennDOT Safety Press Officer Joshua Kaufer walks 8th graders through an impaired driving simulator as part of career day at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Kaufer and Warren County Maintenance Manager Adam Elms were on hand to lay out possible career options with PennDOT.

Eighth grade might seem like a long way from a career decision, but it’s never too early to plant some seeds.

That was the focus of an 8th grade career day event held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Thursday and coordinated by the Warren-Forest Higher Education Council’s School to Work program.

Employers from across a wide array of industries met with 8th graders from throughout the county. Students from Beaty-Warren Middle School, Youngsville Elementary Middle School, Tidioute Community Charter School as well as Eisenhower and Sheffield middle schools.

Jesse DeLoof, the School to Work program coordinator, noted that about 300 students would take part in the event.

“It’s not too early,” he said, noting that state standards include career and college readiness elements as early as kindergarten.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Kathy Mohney with the Allegheny National Forest discussed job options on the ANF with county 8th graders during a career day event held on Thursday at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.

“This is the age to start thinking career,” he said, reinforcing for the students that career decisions are much broader than just lawyers and doctors.

“(We) want to get the kids exposed to that,” he said, and “get those wheels turning.”

And that exposure was broad.

The area’s largest companies – United, Cummins, Superior Tire, Betts and Ellwood National Forge – participated in addition to medical and social service organizations such as Warren General, Rouse Estate, Family Services and the Russell Veterinary Hospital.

Northwest Bank and PNC represented the banking industry, smaller businesses such as Moments in Time Studio, Kersey & Associates and Radio Partners, LLC were on hand to speak with students.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton Members of Warren’s Fire/EMS Explorer Post display skills learned during an 8th grade career day event held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Thursday.

Educationally, McKissock, some WCSD teachers and the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College took part.

That was in addition to many public entities – the Allegheny National Forest at the national level, PennDOT at the state level as well as local and county departments such as Warren County Adult Probation, City of Warren Police, City of Warren Fire as well as the fire service Explorer Post.

The programs at the Warren County Christian School were also on hand to detail those options that eighth-graders will soon have at their disposal. The Civil Air Patrol also took part.

DeLoof wanted to thank all the entities who volunteered to participate, Holy Redeemer and the WCSD for their assistance and participation in the event.