durham public schools

DPS eighth graders get a look at their future at Acceler8

What could come after high school? DPS eighth graders will explore careers, try hands-on activities, and meet local employers at Acceler8 on Oct. 20.

Inset photo: Durham Public Schools

High school is coming up fast for Durham’s eighth graders. Next week, a trip to the stadium will give them a chance to explore where their interests might lead.

Durham Public Schools will hold Acceler8, its annual eighth-grade career exploration event, Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Durham County Memorial Stadium, 750 Stadium Drive. The district advertises the event for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with schools attending in two scheduled rotations.

Hosted by the district’s Career and Technical Education Department, the expo is designed for all DPS eighth graders. Students will explore careers through hands-on simulations and conversations with people who work in local industries. Organizers describe an event reaching more than 2,000 students, with an emphasis on fields that require specialized skills, offer strong pay, and need workers.

For an eighth grader, the immediate payoff could be finding a high school class worth asking about.

Students will learn about high school Career and Technical Education, or CTE, pathways while exploring how their interests and strengths connect to different kinds of work. A conversation with an employer could give a student a clearer picture of what a job involves and what they would need to learn to do it.

With high school ahead, those discoveries can give students something specific to discuss with a counselor: Which courses would help me explore this? What can I try while I’m still in school?

DPS has described career exploration as a chance for students to test their interests. In a district article published in January, CTE Director Darian Harris explained the approach:

“CTE is for all students. The idea behind it is you’re temporarily trying on a career identity,” Harris said.

Students can arrive curious, even if they have no idea what they want to do after graduation. A useful goal for the day could be finding one unfamiliar career to investigate further.

Some questions worth bringing to the exhibits:

What do you actually do during a typical workday?
What do you enjoy about your job, and what’s difficult about it?
Which high school classes would help someone get started?
What education or training did you need?
What could an eighth grader try now to learn more?

Acceler8 is free for students, and each school will coordinate transportation. It’s a school-sponsored student event; schools will communicate any opportunities for parents to volunteer. Students should wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking and participating in activities, and stay with their assigned groups.

Families can follow up afterward by asking which activity stood out and what their student wants to explore next. DPS says those conversations support students’ career development plans, which connect their interests, strengths, and goals with planning for high school and beyond.

Questions about school arrangements should go to a school counselor or administrator. More information is available on the DPS Acceler8 page.

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