Hancock County’s 8th graders took a giant leap into their future careers recently at the region’s first ever Health Career Exploration event.

More than 100 students from three middle schools dove into a world of possibilities, trying on careers like they were designer outfits! Thanks to virtual reality headsets, they got hands-on with jobs they’ve only dreamed of.

Mary Jane Clark from AHEC and Tammy Hudson from Memorial Hospital shared info on scholarships, tours, and job openings.

The event, sponsored by CVS, Carl Sandburg College, MTC Communications, West Central AHEC, and Memorial Hospital rocked the house at Lake Hill Winery in Carthage.

Future expos are in the works, thanks to the dynamic duo Blanche Shoup and Samantha Harnack from Hancock County Economic Development.