More than 700 Southern California High School Students Virtually Explored Future Careers at EXP’s GPS Your Future®

56 companies and 17 guest speakers made connections and inspired the future workforce through web and mobile apps

The energy was crackling with excitement and anticipation as EXP’s 10th annual GPS Your Future career discovery event went live online on Tuesday, October 27, 2020. It was EXP’s first year of presenting the event as a 100% virtual online experience, complete with gamified learning challenges for high school students and the chance for direct engagement with industry professionals, who introduced students to future career possibilities and encouraged them to explore more. More than 700 high school students and educators from all 10 of EXP-supported schools and 11 guest schools from across Southern California visited digital expo booths and interactive sessions by 56 prospective employers in high-growth industries. They also took part 12 breakout sessions with 17 guest speakers.

Kicking off the two action-packed hours was Nicole Tinson, founder and CEO of HBCU 20x20 and one of 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs. Students were then free to explore the expo hall by clicking through digital expo booths or dropping in on interactive activities that included career panel discussions, “Ask Me Anything” sessions, and a chance to have their individual career questions answered by the many industry professionals on the virtual show floor.

The live event wrapped up with breakout speaker sessions in which industry professionals shared their career journeys and how they overcame obstacles to get to where they are today.

To encourage students to familiarize themselves with the event app, the “Passport to Success Challenge” digital scavenger hunt kicked off the prior week to entice students to explore every booth, read every speaker bio, and listen closely to all the speakers for game clues.

With the virtual platform as this year’s event venue, the learning opportunities continue well beyond the live event. The digital exhibit booths and session recordings are available for students and educators to revisit. Students’ reaction to the event has been very positive, so far.

“The greatest takeaway from both Nicole Tinson and breakout session speaker is that we should stay driven and use all our assets to our advantage by connecting with people,” said Kassandra from Barstow High School. “Never think that a doorway is closed to you.”

“Thank you for hosting this wonderful event and having such a diverse field of speakers so students can learn more about different career pathways,” expressed Madhumitha from Cambridge Virtual Academy.

Thanks to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and speakers who joined us on this virtual journey and helped make this experience a memorable one for our students!