Knox County’s annual Career Quest event brought together more than 40 local businesses and hundreds of high school sophomores on October 1 at the Energy Fieldhouse, offering students a hands-on look at career opportunities across a wide range of industries.
Organized by the Career Quest Steering Committee, the event aimed to help students explore paths beyond graduation by connecting them with local employers, trade programs, and educational opportunities. The committee—composed of Mrs. Brandy Booth, Mrs. Carol Grubaugh, Mr. Andy Fox, Mrs. Michele Engelbach, Mrs. Elaine Trammell, Mr. Sean McCutcheon, Mrs. Shelly Laslo, and Mrs. Christine Keaton—began planning the event in the fall of 2024.
Throughout the day, students visited interactive booths representing careers in healthcare, cosmetology, manufacturing, public service, and more. Business representatives offered demonstrations, answered questions, and shared resources for students interested in pursuing specific fields.
Students from across Knox County attended the event. Mount Vernon sophomore Emma Hall said the PENZONE Salon booth was a highlight. “They gave me a lot of information, and they even gave me a hand massage. It was cool,” Hall said.
Others gravitated toward the healthcare exhibits. Sophomores Calleigh Armstrong and Jordan Anderson noted the medical booth as their favorite. “We got to put on these huge gloves. That was probably my favorite so far,” Armstrong said.
Mrs. Christine Keaton expressed enthusiasm about the event’s success and emphasized the importance of helping students prepare for life after high school.
“For every doctoral degree—for example, doctors or veterinarians—there are at least two master’s-level positions that support it,” Keaton said. “An orthopedic surgeon, for example, needs a PA or nurse practitioner, and there are usually around seven skilled technical roles supporting that entire structure.”
Career Quest is designed not only to promote awareness of high-demand local jobs, but also to encourage students to consider career paths that don’t always require a traditional four-year degree.
Organizers and educators hope the event will continue to grow in the coming years, providing more students with valuable exposure to the diverse range of careers available in Knox County and beyond.
