Richmond County 8th-graders explore career pathways

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - About 2,000 Richmond County students took part in the school system’s second annual Eighth Grade Extravaganza community day, exploring careers and pathway opportunities.Students learned about areas including culinary arts, cosmetology and welding. Community leaders were invited to attend the event.Richmond County Schools Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb said eighth grade is an important time for students to begin considering their plans after high school.“Most of our eighth-graders are about 13, 14, and that’s when they’re starting to make those decisions about what I think I might want to be,” Cobb said. “Sometimes people will think, well, let’s talk workforce development at 11th and 12th grade. But by then, they really have an idea of what they want to do. So we think it’s really important at the middle school level to begin thinking about what comes after high school.”Cobb said the goal is for students to have a diploma, resume and plan when they graduate.