Career Spark 2026 – “It opens our eyes to more career opportunities”

The St. Peter eighth-grader joined more than 800 others from nearly a dozen West-Central Illinois schools at Wednesday’s Career Spark STEAM Expo.

“It opens our eyes to more career opportunities. Some things here I didn’t even know were options that I could do,” he said. “What I mostly worried about is education — how long I have to go and how expensive it’s going to be, but they put it all in a nutshell for me to make it seem a lot more simple.”

The second annual expo, held in Quincy University’s Health and Fitness Center, inspired and educated students about the wide range of career paths available in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

“Career Spark is about sparking curiosity and helping students connect their classroom learning to real-world opportunities, said Cole Schwartz, director of workforce and community development with Great River Economic Development Foundation.

GREDF sponsored the expo with help from Junior Achievement, the Learning Technology Center and QU to target students getting ready to transition to high school. The expo aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by demonstrating how STEAM-related fields play a vital role in everyday life and the workforce.

“At this age, we want to introduce them to different career paths and pique their interests by doing this hands-on event,” Schwartz said.

Anna Koenig tried her hand at abdominal surgery with a simulator provided by West Central Illinois Area Health Education Center, or AHEC.

“It was really fun,” said the St. Peter student who wants to do something in the medical field as a career. “It gives us an idea of what we want to do and how you actually do it, how it works.”

AHEC Coordinator Lisa Latham said the Career Spark event offers a way to promote health care careers for students – and to get students thinking about careers in general.

“I try to say there’s more to health care than doctors and nurses,” Latham said. “When we go to the doctor, that’s all we see. We don’t see the X-ray techs, the respiratory therapist, the lab, anybody behind the scenes.”

Not far away, Quincy Junior High student Nora Struck tried out the work of a respiratory therapist. “I’ve thought about nursing, but I don’t think I would ever do that,” she said. “It was definitely challenging.”

Fellow QJHS student Brodie Mayes accepted a challenge from another presenter.

“She told me if I have a dream to dream bigger,” he said. “I took that to heart, so I’m going to dream bigger than what my big dream is right now.”

The expo, QJHS teacher Dave Buckley said, offers a benefit to students.

“They get to see some skilled real-world experiences all in one space, get to go around and see what is happening out there that might interest them instead of just the normal routine of the every day life at school,” Buckley said.

“The kids obviously like playing the games, getting some of the prizes and interacting with the professionals that are here.”

Some 40 exhibitors overall representing business, finance, education, training, law, government and public service showcased careers that will shape the future through hands-on activities.

“The first year we had about 40.This year we’re going to have about 40 again. It’s been fairly easy to get employers to buy into this and participate,” Schwartz said.

“We’re getting to the youth, getting out here and interacting in order to get them involved with law enforcement,” said Officer Cole Anderson with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. “We have had a lot of interest, a lot of kids coming and talking to us. We’re happy to see law enforcement is still a career a lot of youth want to be involved with.”

By Deborah Gertz Husar – Herald-Whig – March 18, 2026