2026 Kids Career Encounter
Southern State Community College is excited to announce Kids Career Encounter, a Summer Enrichment Program taking place June 23 & 24, 2026 for 4th-8th graders. Designed to foster creativity, learning, and personal growth, Kids Career Encounter offers students the chance to learn about different futures. Each 90-minute session is filled with fun activities that relate to one or more of Southern State's programs and a real career pathway!
Registration is now open. Students can choose to attend the morning session, the afternoon session, or the entire day. Each session will consist of 2 career explorations. Spaces are limited for each session. The cost of the program is $25 per session, per student, and includes some cool takeaways. Lunch is provided for students who are attending all day.
Sessions Offered
- Biology
- Business
- Computer Science
- Health Sciences | Nursing
- Leadership & Improvement
- Math
- Mental Health
- Social Services
Event Details
- Location - Central Campus | 100 Hobart Dr, Hillsboro, OH 45133
- Cost - $25 per session
- 2 careers to explore in each session
- Lunch is provided for students who are attending all day
- Morning Session Sign-In | 8:30 am
- Afternoon Session Sign-In | 12:30 pm
Sessions
Tuesday - June 23rd
Morning Session | $25 | Registration
- Biology | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
- Math | 10:40 am - 12:10 pm
Afternoon Session | $25 | Registration
- Business | 12:50 pm - 2:20 pm
- Leadership & Improvement | 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Wednesday - June 24th
Morning Session | $25 | Registration
- Health Sciences | Nursing | 9:00 am - 10:30 am
- Computer Science | 10:40 am - 12:10 pm
Afternoon Session | $25 | Registration
- Social Sciences | 12:50 pm - 2:20 pm
- Mental Health | 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
About the sessions!
Biology
This session will examine science as a process to understand basic biological concepts. Students will examine current biological research and how that impacts their lives and the future.
Business
Students will step into the role of an adult and make real-life money decisions. They will choose a career path, earn a monthly salary and decide how to spend their money on things like housing, food, transportation, and fun. Along the way, they will face surprise events, some good and some challenging that will affect their budget. Their goal is to manage their money wisely, pay their bills and try to save for the future. The session will wrap up by understanding inflation and looking at the current prices of several goods.
Computer Science
Step into the exciting world of technology! In this hands-on session, students get to explore the basics of computer programming, discover how cool robots work, and learn how to stay safe online like a cybersecurity pro. Whether the student is coding for the first time or just love gadgets, this is the chance to be a tech explorer!
Health Sciences | Nursing
Students will be introduced to the role of nurses and how they help people stay healthy and safe in their homes, schools, and communities. Through age-appropriate activities, students will learn how nurses care for people who are sick or injured, support children and older adults, and work as part of a health care team. Students will practice basic safety and helping skills, including how to respond in simple first aid situations, and will create their own small first aid kit to take home.
Leadership & Improvement
Students will tap into their creativity to build original stories and bring them to life in small groups. Through interactive games and activities, they'll boost engagement, strengthen teamwork, and build confidence in public speaking-all while having fun along the way.
Math
Get ready to think, move, and solve! In this interactive session, students will tackle fun challenges inspired by real-world careers and see how math is used in everyday jobs. Teamwork and creativity encouraged!
Mental Health
Interested in helping people sort out their lives and find direction? Mental health is a growing field where you can make a difference. Join us to learn more about your personality, how one chooses a career, and if mental health may be a career for you!
Social Services
In this engaging session, students will explore emotions and social awareness through fun, interactive group activities. They will play games like "Emotions and Color Matching" and "Helping Words Bingo" to build empathy and communication skills. If time allows, students will dive into how emotions are expressed through music and scenes from movies, helping to recognize and understand feelings in creative ways.
