The purpose of North Florida Worlds of Work and its associated programs is to create awareness of the many high demand, high wage job opportunities that exist in North Florida early enough in high school that students may plan their pathway and graduate with a plan in place and well on their way to college or career.
Worlds of Work is a hands-on career expo that brings to life ten worlds representing 18 different industries that have great jobs and career paths right here in North Florida. Through hands-on activities, over 3,000 9th grade students are exposed to 100+ career options early in their high school careers so that they can plan the courses and extracurricular activities that match their career interests.
WOW Varsity is an opportunity for students in grades 1012th to experience Worlds of Work and meet with employers at their own pace from 2pm - 6pm on Thursday, October 24.
New in 2024, WOW Varsity is also open to the public from 4pm-6pm.
Coming Spring 2025! WOW 2.0 will connect local employers with high school seniors interested in entering the workforce following graduation. Students will interview with employers at the event and potentially receive multiple conditional job offers on the spot!
The Educator Workforce Academy is a year-long training program for educators, exposing them to workforce development and our region’s industries. The year-long program is designed to eliminate the disconnection between industry and education, giving our region’s students the best chance possible for success.
WELCOME
Welcome to North Florida Worlds of Work! North Florida Worlds of Work (WOW) is an immersive, hands-on career expo for ninth grade students in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. Home school and private school ninth graders are also invited to participate in this amazing learning experience.
WOW 2024 is held on the campuses of Tallahassee State College and Lively Technical College by design so that every student who attends WOW has now visited a college campus, hopefully making their next visit less intimidating. The purpose of WOW is to introduce students to careers and career pathways that may be unfamiliar to them. In addition, we want students and teachers to engage with local employers at an early age to begin creating lasting relationships between education, business, and industry. Students will use this information early in high school as they begin to plan their secondary course of work.
North Florida Worlds of Work is a collective project of the Talent Development Council, which includes CareerSource Capital Region, the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Leon County Schools, Lively Technical College, Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality, and Tallahassee State College. We know the importance of ensuring students find a fulfilling, well-paying career path early in life. The jobs featured at WOW include entry-level to advanced degree level positions that are in-demand in our region.
Please utilize the resources and lesson plan included in this guide to help your students get the most from WOW. North Florida Worlds of Work is the capstone event, not a stand-alone event, for using work-based learning to put our students ahead in the game. And guess who else can grow through this event? YOU! Over 500 local employers, post-secondary instructors, and workforce volunteers are here to meet not only the students, but also the teachers who work with these students every day. Engage, ask questions, introduce yourself and your students, and most importantly, thank them!
We look forward to seeing you in October at WOW 2024!
WORLDS OF WORK LOGISTICS
Arrival at WOW
Upon arrival at the event, a volunteer will board your bus to greet students and teachers, give instructions, and distribute backpacks. For everyone’s safety, please remain on the bus until a volunteer instructs you and your students to exit. Backpacks and personal items should be left at school. No items should be left on the bus. The bus that brings students to WOW may not be the same bus that takes them back to school.
Student Rotation
Each student will receive a backpack to wear while at WOW. The color of the backpack determines which group they are in and where they begin their rotation. After exiting the bus, tour guides and wranglers for each group color will be waiting to lead you and your students to their starting point. Students are required to wear their backpack and stay with their group at all times. Teachers, chaperones, and counselors must always stay with their students. Volunteer tour guides will lead students through the event.
Event Layout and Flow
The ten worlds are grouped into four zones, with 2-3 worlds in each zone. Students will have 30 minutes in each zone. Students remain in a zone until the signal is given and tour guides lead them to the next zone. Students may choose where to spend their time within each zone. Students will not move to the next zone until all students are accounted for - please help make sure your students stay with their class. Volunteers will be assigned to help you with this.
Electronic Devices
Students are asked not to be on electronic devices while at WOW. This includes phones, earbuds, etc. Employers are here to interact with students. Students need to be respectful of the employers’ time and commitment to WOW.
Volunteers
WOW volunteers will be identified by their WOW VOLUNTEER shirt. They are here to assist employers and students and keep everyone SAFE! Please reach out to them with anything you may need. Contact numbers for event leaders are at the back of this guide.
Photography, Video, and Media
You may take photos of your students unless prohibited by your school district or school. Please share photos by using #northfloridawow on all social media posts.
Please Communicate with Students Ahead of Event
WOW is an outdoors event and October weather can be warm. Please remind students to dress appropriately and to bring a reusable water bottle if they would like water during the two-hour event.
TEACHER AND COUNSELOR ROLE
We recommend teachers present the information in this guide to students 1-2 weeks prior to attending WOW. The following lesson plan is also available on Canvas. The lesson may be presented as a stand-alone lesson or integrated into your existing curriculum.
Students will begin with a pre-survey in the Xello platform. The Xello tile is located in ClassLink.
Students will then complete the Matchmaker interest inventory on Xello. The assessment is very engaging, and students will enjoy learning a little more about themselves and potential career matches.
Students can further research industries, careers within industries, and local employers hiring in these industries in TalentHub, located in ClassLink.
Students will go on a WOW Scavenger Hunt using the accompanying WOW Book. This will encourage students to explore the ten worlds prior to arriving at the expo.
Stress to students that they must use their time wisely and go to the worlds that interest them most in each zone. There may not be enough time to visit each activity in each world.
Complete the WOW pre-survey.
After the event, please have students complete the WOW Post-survey to help organizers make positive changes for 2025.
LESSON PLAN :
Overview/Annotation: In this lesson, students will experience eighteen career pathways through hands-on activities presented by industry partners.
Essential Question(s):
What is the purpose of the North Florida Worlds of Work (WOW) event? What careers are available in my county in the worlds of Construction, Education & Training, Energy & Utilities, Engineering & Environmental Services, Healthcare, Hospitality & Tourism, Manufacturing, Automotive, & Logistics, Professional & Personal Services, Public Safety, and Technology?
What careers are most interesting to me? How does WOW tie into my 4-Year Plan?
Learning Objective(s): The students will:
Identify how their individual interests correlate to potential careers in our region. State the relationship between math, science, communications, and interpersonal skills with success in various occupations.
Discuss the relationships between career path decisions in high school and their effect on life paths of students.
Discuss a basis for choosing educational pathways for secondary and post-secondary years of education and beyond.
Identify and discuss high-demand, high-wage occupations in our region.
Discuss further training opportunities and desired careers in your school system’s CTE programs and regional community colleges.
Conceptual Outline:
Prepare for WOW 1. Pre-survey in Xello Overview
Review each world Career Expo 2. October 24-25, 2024
Lively Technical College & Tallahassee State College Student Instructions
Equipment: Computer for teacher 1. Projection system 2. Student computers or devices with Internet access 3.
Connect to Your Future - 2024-2025
Procedures/Activities:
Teacher Preparation: Review materials
Pre-WOW Lesson
Students will log into Xello.
Students will complete the Matchmaker Assessment (located in “Core Lessons” within Xello). Here are some guiding questions you can ask your students before they begin Matchmaker: Ask students what careers might be available in our community. As students are suggesting careers, ask what kind of education it takes for the job, and what kind of money they can earn at the job.
Remind them there are many high-wage job opportunities in our region.
Students will complete the WOW Book Scavenger Hunt and WOW Pre-Survey located in “Surveys” within Xello. Students can use TalentHub (located in ClassLink) to further research local employers, jobs, and training for at least one career match. Discuss logistics for WOW trip. The teacher can refer to the Teacher Guide for more information. Students should not bring books or backpacks to the expo.
WOW Trip:
See the Teacher Guide for details regarding the trip. Stress to students they must use time wisely and seek out careers within each world. There may not be enough time to experience every exhibit. Students should not bring books or backpacks to the expo.
Post-WOW Class Discussion and Activity:
Students should identify their top experiences at WOW and complete the WOW Post-Survey located in Xello.
Assessment: Class Participation 1. Wow Student Book Scavenger Hunt 2. WOW Attendance and Engagement 3. Pre-Survey & Post-Survey 4. Xello Matchmaker 5. TalentHub Career Cards liked 6.
Standards:
SS.912.E.1.9 Describe how the earnings of workers are determined.
TH.912.F.2.2 Assess the skills needed for the elated jobs in the community to support career selection.
WL.K12.IH.3.4 Exchange detailed information related to areas of mutual interest including careers of choice, job opportunities, etc.
SS.912.FL.1.1 Discuss that people choose jobs or careers for which they are qualified based on non-income factors, such as job satisfaction, independence, risk, family, or location.
SS.912.FL.1.3 Evaluate ways people can make more informed education, job, or career decisions by evaluating the benefits and costs of different choices.
SC.912.CSPC.2.13 Predict future careers and the technologies that may exist based on current technology trends.
SS.912.P.20.1 Identify careers in psychological science and practice.
SS.912.P.20.3 Identify degree requirements for psychologists and psychology related careers.
WOW STUDENT BOOK SCAVENGER HUNT
1. How many worlds are in WOW 2024?
a. 9
b. 10
c. 12
2. What program lets a high school student earn high school credit and college credit at the same time?
a. Apprenticeship
b. Dual Enrollment
c. On-the-job Training
3. What world provides, produces, and moves products we need every day?
a. Public Safety
b. Manufacturing, Automotive, Logistics, and Transportation
c. Education
4. What is the average starting salary of a Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installer?
a. $33,260
b. $49,870
c. $90,940
5. Painters, Project Managers, Pipefitters, and Roofers are all in which world?
a. Construction
b. Hospitality & Tourism
c. Engineering
6. What is the salary range for a career as a power line installer?
a. $27,480 - $34,810
b. $49,140 - $92,800
c. $51,650 - $106,580
7. The World of ________ would be good for a student who enjoys working outside of an office, is detail oriented, and works well with a team.
a. Hospitality & Tourism
b. Public Safety
c. Energy & Utilities
8. A Pharmacy Technician is required to have a certificate. How long does it take to get a certificate?
a. More time than an associate degree
b. Less time than an associate degree
c. No certificate is needed
WOW STUDENT BOOK SCAVENGER HUNT
9. What education is required for a CAD Operator?
a. Associate
b. High School
c. Doctorate
10. You want a job in Manufacturing. What are two companies you would work for?
a. Hardee’s and McDonald’s
b. Altrua and Full Press Apparel
c. Marriott and Social Catering
11. If you are interested in designing buildings, ship, airplanes, or even electronic devices, consider a career in _______________.
a. Hospitality
b. Engineering & Environment
c. Energy & Utilities
12. What is the salary range for a emergency dispatcher?
a. $43,680 - $92,500
b. $47,370 - $71,950
c. $62,290 - $102,600
13. Healthcare careers require _____________ math, science, and computer skills.
a. Basic
b. Strong
c. None
14. If science is one of your favorite subjects, which world of careers should you consider?
a. Healthcare
b. Hospitality & Tourism
c. Professional & Personal Services
15. How many jobs in Energy & Utilities could be started right out of high school?
a. 0
b. 7-9
c. 14+
16. Which of these skills are important for success in Hospitality & Tourism?
a. Excellent customer service
b. Flexibility
c. Teamwork
d. All of the above
WOW STUDENT BOOK SCAVENGER HUNT
17. Careers in the food industry often involve working with _________.
a. Large equipment
b. Animals
c. The public
18. What World do these careers fall under? Welder, Quality Inspector, Machinist, Forklift Operator, Industrial Engineer.
a. Healthcare
b. Manufacturing, Automotive, Logistics, & Transportation
c. Public Safety
19. What is the highest salary shown for careers in Education?
a. Teacher
b. Professor
c. Bus Driver
20. Public Safety careers require ___________.
a. Physical fitness
b. Dependability
c. Communication skills
d. All of the above
21. Which of these jobs requires a sense of justice and desire to protect others?
a. Law Enforcement Officer
b. Web Developer
c. Marketing Director
22. What is the salary range for a software developer?
a. $34,410 - $74,300
b. $42,990 - $61,950
c. $66,040 - $125,000
23. Which of these skills are important for success in Healthcare?
a. Compassion
b. Teamwork
c. Patience
d. All of the above
24. Share your story on Instagram or Facebook with which hashtag?
a. #northfloridawow
b. #WOWNFL
c. #WOWTLH
WOW CONTACTS
WOW Coordinators
Katie Harwood, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
Email: kharwood@talchamber.com
Cell: (772) 631-3527
Corrie Melton, Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
