Richmond County eighth graders explore career pathways at community day

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - 2,000 Richmond County eighth graders took part Thursday in the school system’s second annual Eighth Grade Extravaganza Community Day, exploring careers and pathway opportunities in areas such as culinary arts, cosmetology and welding.Community leaders were invited to watch.“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,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, Richmond County Schools superintendent. “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.”Cobb said the goal is for students to have a diploma, a resume and a plan when they graduate.