WHITEVILLE, NC — More than 3,400 kindergarten through 8th grade students from across Columbus County got an up‑close look at local jobs during the first‑ever Careers on Wheels event at Southeastern Community College on March 23. The large‑scale career exploration day, hosted in partnership with Columbus County Schools, brought students face‑to‑face with business owners, industry partners, and public safety officials—many of whom arrived with the vehicles and equipment used in their daily work.
The goal: give young students hands‑on exposure to the technical and in‑demand careers that power Columbus County.
SCC Associate Vice President of Education and Training Angie Ransom said the event answered a long‑standing request from local employers who want earlier access to future talent.
“By the time students reach their senior year, it’s often too late to educate them about the careers found in Columbus County,” Ransom said. “This event also gave us an opportunity to expose these students to Career and College Promise options in addition to the early college experience we house on campus. Careers on Wheels was a culmination of hard work and planning with a lot of people working together towards a common goal.”
Tina Little, Columbus County Schools’ CTE Director and Federal Programs Director, called the event a “great success” and praised the partnership between CCS and SCC as an “amazing, boots‑on‑the‑ground effort.”
She said the hands‑on format made a noticeable difference.
“Getting to interact with business owners and industry partners—and actually touch the vehicles and equipment—was far more beneficial than a standard lecture,” Little said. “We had great feedback from everyone. My regional coordinator, superintendent, assistant superintendent, a school board member, school principals and all of Southeastern’s leadership were there, so we had great representation.”
Little added that it is “never too early” for students to begin thinking about their future careers. “The event allowed students to put a career with a wheel, so to speak,” she said.
Following the event, SCC leadership sent a campus‑wide message thanking faculty and staff for their work in making the inaugural Careers on Wheels a success.
“Amongst the 3,400 children we interacted with, if at least one of their lives is impacted positively by this event, then it was all worth it,” said Dr. Brandon Jenkins, SCC Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. He praised Ransom and the planning team for months of preparation dating back to last fall.
SCC President Dr. Chris English echoed that appreciation. “These children are our future and the growth in Columbus County,” he said. “The event you participated in will see benefits for years to come.”
Across campus, SCC faculty and staff described the day as energizing and meaningful.
SCC Business Administration Instructor Cristian Wood said it was “a joy to see all the smiling faces of students on campus,” noting the importance of local businesses connecting with potential future employees.
Technical Training Dean Dr. Mike Ammons called the event “very interactive” and “a great achievement.”
HRD Employability Skills Specialist Evelyn Brisbon said the event gave students a first‑hand look at SCC’s programs and facilities, helping them understand the types of jobs the college trains for.
Adult Learner and CRM Coordinator Jessica McDowell said the experience will stay with students for years. “People don’t realize that those are core memories,” she said. “Letting those kids witness this event was amazing, and for this being our first time doing this, we pulled it off.”
With strong feedback from schools, industry partners, and SCC staff, Careers on Wheels will now become an annual event, continuing to connect Columbus County students with real career opportunities.
Next up, SCC will host its Career Expo on April 29, welcoming industry partners from across the region. The event is open to students, job seekers, and the community.
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