Students Explore Local Career Opportunities at Annual East Kern Expo

Nearly 2,000 students from nine school districts across eastern Kern County gathered Thursday at the Mojave Air and Space Port for the third annual East Kern Career Expo. The event, packed with exploration and learning, provided students from grades six through twelve with a firsthand look at potential college and career paths in their own region. 

“By bringing career exploration directly to students in East Kern, we’re helping open doors to their future, showing them what’s possible and how to get there,” said Carrie Bloxom, coordinator of College and Career Programs.

Organized by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), the expo featured over 80 exhibitors from California’s major industry sectors, including Aerospace, Manufacturing, Energy, and Agriculture. Industry professionals and educational institutions provided hands-on displays to network with students and introduce them to various career options. 

“This event is all about exposure,” said Kierstin Webb, director of College and Career Programs at KCSOS. “We want students to see what’s out there, to explore career opportunities without having to leave their communities, and to know that great jobs are available right here in their backyard.” 

From flight simulators that allowed students to pilot and land a virtual plane to forklift operations and NASA demonstrations, the event offered immersive activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire career dreams.

“It’s really important, especially with all the pathways they may want to consider, being able to come in and talk with people one-on-one and having that hands-on experience,” said Kern County Superintendent Dr. John Mendiburu. 

Students participate in a flight simulation and explore things through microscopes.

Webb emphasized that one of the event’s goals is to ensure equitable access to career exploration for students in East Kern, many of whom may not have the chance to travel to larger events like the annual Career Expo in Bakersfield.

“Our hope is to increase exposure at an event like this. We want students to be able to see what’s out there,” she said.

The participating organizations represented a wide array of fields, from healthcare providers like Adventist Health to technology giants like NASA and community pillars like the Boys & Girls Club. These industry leaders shared insights on how their programs could translate into well-paying, sustainable careers in various fields, including civilian jobs in East Kern’s military bases.

“A lot of people assume all roles at military bases like China Lake are military positions, but in fact, most are civilian jobs,” Webb explained. “There are a lot of non-military organizations that are out in East Kern as well, specifically around clean energy, health care, hospitality, and education.” 

Exhibitors also benefit from events like these as they gain early access to an emerging workforce. Webb says local industry partners often struggle to find talent, and the expo lets them network with students. 

National Cement Company of California demonstrated the process of cement creation to students. Human Resources Manager Jeremey White says they’re always looking for new workers, especially those interested in STEM-related fields such as geology and engineering. 

“We love to take high school students and show them the process and what the possibilities are,” he said.   

Local post-secondary education agencies also attended the expo, offering information and resources to students. Abel Núñez-Guerrero, outreach coordinator with California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), said he and his team were there to make sure all the students of East Kern feel welcome and like they belong at CSUB.

“We’re developing a mechanical engineering degree, and also a doctorate degree in nursing, so those opportunities are here,” he said. “We’re here to facilitate that connection.”

For many students, this event is pivotal in shaping their future educational and career choices. The East Kern Career Expo hopes to bridge the gap for students seeking opportunities close to home — empowering the next generation to build their futures in Kern County.

“I just love to see the students excited,” Bloxom said. “They are just so pumped because they don’t get these kinds of opportunities very often.”