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Career Challenge Day in Randolph

by Jillian Scannell

A middle school girl tries welding with the help of tech center student at Career Challenge Day

 

Vermont Works for Women (VWW) and Randolph Technical Career Center (RTCC) were thrilled to once again host Career Challenge Day in March 2025.

Career Challenge Day is a free, day-long career exploration event that provides girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6-8 with the opportunity to try hands-on activities at RTCC in a supportive environment.  

Career Challenge Day 2025  

This year 104 students from nine schools participated in empowering, hands-on activities in different non-traditional programs at the tech center.  Visiting students had the chance to learn about RTCC’s programs by meeting instructors and current students, getting their hands on special tools, and experiencing a taste of common projects in each of the different fields:  

  • Automotive Technology – learn how to solder, change brake pads and rotors, grease brakes, change a tire, and run an engine diagnostic test 
  • Construction Technology – use a variety of tools, including wood burners, electric sander, and router 
  • Criminal Justice & Cyber Security – practice dragging a 120lb dummy, investigate mock crime scenes, dust for fingerprints, and learn about computer forensics
  • Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management – make donuts and pizza from scratch 
  • Dental Assisting – practice applying dental sealant, making teeth impressions, and learn about dental exam room equipment
  • Health Careers – learn how to take blood pressure and don a surgical gown 
  • Diesel Technology – practice soldering a wire bracelet and watch a hydraulic systems demonstration 
  • Digital Filmmaking & Media Arts – learn about all of the roles involved in a full film production 
  • Diversified Agriculture – visit an active sugar house to taste sugar on snow and learn how to operate an excavator 
  • Electrical Technology – wire an outlet from start to finish, including installation to turn on a light, and learn how to use a reciprocating saw
  • Manufacturing & Fabrication – practice welding and use an angle grinder 
  • Pre-Tech – learn about 3D printing
A middle school girl operates an excavator with the help of a tech center student at Career Challenge Day

 

 

 

 

 

Why is Career Challenge Day Important?  

Research and our experience prove that early exposure to STEM and trades career fields inspires more girls and gender-expansive students to enroll in their tech center and/or pursue fields where their gender is often underrepresented. It is clear from the student feedback that participants felt safe, inspired, and like they explored something they might have not thought about before Career Challenge Day. 

Middle school girls explore under a car hood at Career Challenge Day Middle school girls practice soldering at Career Challenge Day

 

 

 

 

 

Student Feedback 

Students complete a survey at the end of the day, giving VWW and RTCC valuable information about their experience – what they enjoyed and whether they did something they hadn’t realized they were capable of before attending Career Challenge Day.

  • 73%      I did something today that I didn’t know I was capable of before attending CCD
  • 82%      I would like to learn more about RTCC
  • 74%      Visiting RTCC helped me think about my future
  • 61%      Before attending CCD I knew about all of the career options and possibilities for women and gender-expansive people
  • 86%      After attending CCD I know about all of the career options and possibilities for women and  gender-expansive people

To learn more about Career Challenge Day at RTCC or be notified of the event next year, please contact Ada Case at acase@vtworksforwomen.org