The Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair will be held on Feb. 21 at the Charlie Rose Agri-Expo Center, 1960 Coliseum Drive. The event will be open from 8:45 to 2:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the event begins at 8:45 a.m. in the lobby. For more information contact bit.ly/careerpathway.fair.
Sponsors of the Cumberland County Career Pathway Fair are Chemours and Cape Fear Valley Hospital. There will be over two hundred educational, career and employment companies available for the students, including Cape Fear Valley Health, Chemours, Beasley Media, Campbell University, Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, Children’s Health, City of Fayetteville, First Robotics, Fayetteville Fire Department, Cumberland County, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville State University, Miller-Motte College-Career Services, North Carolina State Park-Lumber River State Park, Hope Mills Fire Department, Hope Mills Parks and Recreation, Hope Mills Police Department, U.S Marines Corp, Wawa Inc , Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center, and Sylvan Learning Center.
“The Career Fair is designed to highlight a variety of career opportunities for 2025 and beyond. It is organized to help students explore the different pathways, including the Orange Zone. The Orange Zone consists of Architecture and Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation& Distribution, Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security,” said Emily Freeman, Cumberland County Schools Career Development Coordinator. “The Red Zone entails Government and Public Administration, Arts, A/V Technology and Communications, Hospitality and Tourism, and Health Science. The Green Zone represents STEM, Education, Information, and Technology and Agriculture. Blue Zone represents Business Management and Administration, Human Services, Finance and Marketing. These industries represent key career opportunities, and students will have the chance to connect with professionals to learn more about their future options.”
Freeman also stated, “The current and future labor market demands a mix of technical skills, digital literacy, and soft skills. Key areas include STEM, trades, healthcare, and sustainability, alongside AI and cybersecurity. Equally important are communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership to navigate evolving industries.”
She expresses her enthusiasm about the Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway.
“The CCS Career Pathway Fair is a powerful opportunity for students to explore their futures, connect with over 200 businesses, and discover the careers that inspire them. This year, we are thrilled to extend this experience to 5th through 8th grades, and high school students, paving the way for the next generation of talent and innovation.”
Freeman extends an invitation to the Cumberland County School Career Pathway on Feb. 21. General admission is free to the public. For more information contact bit.ly/careerpathwayfair.

(Photo: A student interacts with a robot dog at a The Cumberland County Schools Career Pathway Fair in 2024. Photo courtesy of Cumberland County Schools)