MANSFIELD — Fog and two-hour delays may have put a few hiccups in the JA Inspire event on Thursday morning.

But they couldn’t dim the excitement inside the career exploration event.

Hundreds of students still showed up, eager to try new skills and imagine where their futures might lead.

Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio President Josh Lehman said more than half of registered schools canceled because of delays, but the organization refused to let those students miss out.

“We’re going to invite all the schools that couldn’t attend today to the Ashland event, along with the organizations from today,” Lehman said. “It will be on May 13. We will also have one in Canton on March 4.”

JA Inspire connected students from five counties with nearly 50 local employers, creating hands-on opportunities that brought career paths to life – at the Richland County Fairgrounds. 

Students discovered careers they never considered

Students moved booth to booth, asked questions and explored careers in ways classrooms cannot replicate.

This event showed me I wanted to become a firefighter.

Gabe Ivy, Springfield Township firefighter

Lehman said he loves watching students discover careers they never imagined.

“Even if only one student came to this event today and it made a difference in their life, it’s worth it,” he said.

Gabe Ivy knows that impact firsthand.

The 2024 graduate from Galion now works at the Springfield Township Fire Department, and he traced his career choice back to attending JA Inspire as a student.

“This event showed me I wanted to become a firefighter,” Ivy said. “Just putting on the gear and seeing what they did was awesome.”

Firefighters invited students to try on gear and race against the clock, just like they do during emergency calls.

They also demonstrated training equipment, including a mannequin and the LUCAS device, which Ivy called an essential tool.

“It does the compressions for you and is a great way for the compressions to continue while we move them where needed,” he said. “It’s a lifesaver.”

Local businesses help students picture their future

Employers across north central Ohio filled the space with tools, demonstrations and conversations.

Companies like Charter Next Generation, Mechanics Bank, Avita Health System and Ohio Edison gave students a close look at their careers.

Each booth encouraged students to touch equipment, ask questions and picture themselves in those roles.

Taylor Richmond, a junior at Clearfork High School, said the event helped her see new possibilities.

She plans to become a physical therapist assistant but said the experience opened her eyes to even more opportunities.

Lehman said events like JA Inspire help students see beyond outdated expectations and discover careers they can pursue with confidence.

“I think about some of the careers where young girls are told it is not something they can do,” he said.

Helping connect students with local opportunities is also a motivator, he said.

“We need skilled professionals in our community to help support it. There are so many opportunities,” he added. “I want students to do what’s best for them.”

He said while for some that may mean moving away, he doesn’t want others to miss out on local opportunities simply because they didn’t know they exist.

“Every day I learn more and I’ve been doing this for ten years,” Lehman said.

(Photos from JA Inspire show students exploring the business booths. Credit: Hannah Martin)