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COLUMBUS, MS – FORGE is excited to host the 6th Annual FORGE Your Path Career Expo on Wednesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 23, 2025, at East Mississippi Community College’s Communiversity in Columbus.

This year’s event will welcome more than 2,200 eighth-grade students from 29 schools across nine counties—including Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Webster, and Winston—as they explore careers in construction and the skilled trades through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

Partnering with over 50 businesses, organizations, and career and technical centers, the Expo bridges the gap between education and industry by giving students direct access to professionals in high-demand fields. Participants will operate heavy equipment simulators, lay bricks, experience virtual reality construction sites, finish concrete, sit in bulldozers, and discover the real tools and technology driving today’s workforce.

“Hosting the Expo during Careers in Construction Month allows us to shine a spotlight on the people and professions who build our communities every day,” said Melinda Lowe, Executive Director of FORGE. “Our goal is to spark curiosity and confidence in every student who walks through the doors. By connecting them with real people doing real work, we’re showing them that there are many paths to success—and that Mississippi’s future is being built by their hands, ideas, and determination.”

In addition to the student-focused event, FORGE will host a Business After Hours on Tuesday, October 21, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Communiversity. Sponsored by the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, Edward Jones Financial Advisor Josh Read, East Mississippi Community College, and EMCC Lion Hills, this networking event will give business leaders, educators, and community members a first look at the Expo’s interactive exhibits and an opportunity to celebrate the partnerships shaping Mississippi’s workforce future.

The success of the Expo depends on the collaboration of hundreds of volunteers, including High School Career Coaches and EMCC Student Ambassadors, whose enthusiasm and dedication ensure a safe and meaningful experience for every participant. FORGE extends special appreciation to Build Mississippi and the 4-County Foundation, serving as Title Sponsors for the 2025 Career Expo, whose continued investment makes this impactful event possible. Their support, along with the contributions of all sponsors and volunteers, plays a vital role in creating a meaningful and inspiring experience for every participant.

For more information about the FORGE Your Path Career Expo, sponsorship opportunities, or other FORGE initiatives, visit www.forgeyourpath.org.