(Eureka)— North Coast Cal-SOAP (Student Opportunity and Access Program) and the Humboldt County Office of Education are pleased to announce an exciting and important local educational event for all high school students and parents.
The 40th Annual North Coast College & Career Expo is Tuesday, September 24 at College of the Redwoods from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. located at 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Eureka.
The College & Career Expo is designed for 9th-12th grade students and parents who want to learn more about preparing for and applying to colleges, universities, trade schools, and how to pay for higher education.
Historically, over 1,000 people attend this event. More than 60 public and private college, university, trade school, career pathways and military recruiters will be in-person to provide information and to answer specific questions regarding admission requirements, tuition, housing, academic options, and campus life.
This event is the only college and career fair for the North Coast and provides an opportunity for families to compare different educational options in a one-stop-shop since most colleges are over five hours away and it can be a challenge to visit each one individually.
The evening will include 10 different workshops with something for everyone including foundational workshops for freshman and sophomores – College Planning 101 and Understanding the Different College Systems: California Community Colleges, the California State University and the University of California.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) begins this year in last December, so seniors should plan to attend the financial aid workshops to understand the necessary steps to obtain priority funding.
For athletes interested in playing in college, there will be a special workshop on NCAA requirements and eligibility. Hear about career technical education options from College of the Redwoods, local trades, and more.
The goal of this event is to increase the rates of regional high school students who are qualified for and attend post-secondary educational programs such as college, university, vocational programs, and trade schools.
Promoting a community wide college-going culture is just one of the strategies used to achieve this goal. The College & Career Expo aims to increase our local students’ knowledge of options for their futures and provide relevant information to help answer questions related to post-secondary education.
The College and Career Expo is a fast-paced, jam-packed event. There will be a food truck and music by the CR Jazz Band. Come early, pick up a program, have some dinner, and plan your evening or visit www.hcoe.org/ccx for a complete list of confirmed reps, workshops and times, and information on how to prepare for the event to get the most out of it.
Contact Cindy Porter, Higher Education Pathways Manager, at (707) 445-7020 or at cporter@hcoe.org for more information.