The Career Pathways Preview is an immersive experience at Ohio State Marion designed to bridge the gap between middle school and future careers through active, "line-of-sight" engagement. Rather than a passive tour, 8th-grade students rotate through university science labs and campus landmarks to build professional literacy and envision themselves in a collegiate environment. The program culminates in a high-energy interactive fair where students participate in hands-on activities led by faculty and staff, helping them connect academic majors to real-world workforce opportunities.
Interactive Stations
- Engineering: The Great Catapult Launch-a-Thon featuring 3D-printed components.
- Education: "Teaching: Try it On!" with the Oobleck Obstacle
- Psychology: Brain-bending color challenges
- Biology & Ecology: Prairie Seed-Bombs and succulent takeaways.
- Business: Shark Tank: The 60-Second Sales Sprint.
- English & History: Creating "Bookmark Biographies" with instant film and English Alumni postcards
- Social Work: The Community Connection Map.
- AI Education Station: Demonstrations of "Study-Bot" tools to enhance learning.
- Admissions Table: Pathways to 2030—information on future enrollment and youth programs.