MANSFIELD — Over 1,500 fourth graders from 14 school districts in Ashland, Crawford and Richland counties spent their Monday learning about different career opportunities.

The career day, at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center, gave students the chance to learn about various career possibilities that can be found in the area.  

Students heard from any four of the following: EPIK, Avita Health System, Emerson Electric, North Central State College, Directions Credit Union, Zara Construction, Spire Advertising, RAMTEC, R&L Carriers, Gorman-Rupp Company, Renaissance Theatre, OhioHealth, Army National Guard, Niese Farms, bricklayers, Jay Plastics, B.E. Humble, Hillman Precision, and Mayor Tim Theaker.

“The goal is to give kids four different experiences of four different career types,” said event organizer and SPARC Talent Development Career Coach Coordinator Cheryl Cronbaugh.

The event was sponsored by SPARC Talent Development. This organization focuses primarily on providing career coaches in area schools in grades 6 through 12.

State Rep. Mark Romanchuk asked SPARC to consider how its programming could reach elementary students, Cronbaugh said, which eventually led to the creation of this career day.

“We had a committee meeting and felt that the best thing we could do was focus on grade four and provide them career experiences,” Cronbaugh said.

Students had positive things to say about the sessions.

“That’s all I want to hear,” Cronbaugh said. “That they’re learning and having fun.”

Kane Nelson, Ontario Stingel Elementary student, was especially interested in learning about the military and anything science-related. He said both his great-grandfather and grandfather served in the military and that he hopes to one day join the Air Force.

Abigail Kern, a student at Mansfield Spanish Immersion School, said she liked hearing from Avita Health System and hopes to one day become a nurse.

Cronbaugh gave a special thanks to the Mid-Ohio Conference Center for serving as host and to the Madison Comprehensive High School and Pioneer Career and Technology Center students for helping guide the fourth graders from session to session.