LUMBERTON — “If you’re passionate about what you do, the sky is the limit.”
Those are the words of Jon Holder, program coordinator for “Be Pro Be Proud,” an organization that uses a job-simulator-equipped tractor-trailer to engage youth across multiple states, promoting career exploration and future planning. The vehicle made stops at multiple PSRC high schools in Robeson County this week, allowing students to participate in various job simulations and consider future professions.
“You have to find out what you want to do in life,” he told Lumberton High School students on Wednesday. “It’s all about motivation, your desire and being passionate about what you do. It’s going to take hard work, but at the end of the day, be proud of what you do. That’s what it’s all about,” Holder said.
Students could be seen using a welding simulator, driving simulator, plumbing simulator and more as they explored various stations in the vehicle.
Senior Marshall Allen stood by the welding simulator as other students lined up to give it a try.
Allen said his plans after graduation include becoming a welder.
Zyon Montgomery could be seen watching other students use the VR goggles to cut PVC pipe and repair lines, simulating a plumber’s work. She said the virtual reality station drew her in and she already has plans to go into the military once she graduates.
Montgomery enjoys carpentry and plans to continue taking classes and exploring various career offerings while in the Navy.
She said the vehicle and career tour helped give her more ideas about what careers to explore.
“It’s been a good week so far,” Holder said.
“In general, there are a lot of students who come in here and have an idea and haven’t taken that huge step of deciding what career they would like to pursue. A lot of these kids think you have to go to a 4-year college to be successful in a career, but that’s not the case. It’s exciting to have one-on-one conversations with them, answer their questions, and educate them about different pathways,” Holder said.
The vehicle’s mobile career tour is an innovative way to get students excited about their future careers, said PSRC Career and Technical Education Director Herman Locklear.
Locklear attended the vehicle tours held at Purnell Swett and Fairmont High Schools this week. As he looked on, he noticed students were enjoying themselves while learning about careers.
“I’m very grateful for industry thinking ahead. The industry saw a need and came up with an idea to expose students to careers through a mobile unit which brings career simulations to them,” he said.
The vehicle tour also allowed students to gain experiences in various job roles safely via technology, Locklear added.
“How many high schoolers have climbed into the driver’s seat of a tractor-trailer and driven out of the lot immediately?” he said.
“This tour may put young women in the driver's seat of a tractor trailer or another vehicle they otherwise would have never thought about. Through technology and virtual reality, they can gain these experiences and they can open their minds to the endless possibilities available to them,” Locklear added.
For more information about the Be Pro Be Proud mobile career tours, visit nc.beprobeproud.org.