EO Annual Report

Career Commons Partners Appalachian Aggregates Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Clinic Appalachian Power Ballad Health Berry Home Centers Blue Ridge Auto Group BurWil Construction CGI First Bank and Trust Company Food City Friends of Southwest Virginia Lakeshore Learning Mountain Empire Community College New Peoples Bank New River Community College Paramont Manufacturing

hands-on with their futures,” she said. “After a visit, I hope that students are eager and excited about the future. I hope they gain confidence at Career Commons and afterwards, don’t feel as intimidated when they think about a future in those careers.” Gabe Foster, a junior at Holston High school, said his visit to Career Commons this spring exceeded expectations.

42 schools experienced Career Commons in the first few months of operation.

“It was a really cool experience; I had a good time,” Foster stated. “There’s a lot of interesting labs, that’s what really impressed me. I liked learning about all the different facets in each career path, and I learned about a lot of careers in the area.” This is the exact takeaway Career Commons aims to inspire, and why it was created. According to EO’s “Reversing the Outmigration of Our Emerging Workforce” report, young adults aged 16-24 are the fastest-growing demographic to leave the region, largely due to a perceived lack of local career options. The report also found that 30% of high school students plan to leave Southwest Virginia after graduation, and 29% weren’t aware of job opportunities in the area. Cox says she has witnessed this in her students and sees EO’s Career Commons as a crucial a way to bridge that gap. “Many times, students I see will talk about wanting to go away to college or move away when they turn 18, but the reality of it is, many of them stay or eventually come back,” she said. “If we can get them excited about the careers in our area, then hopefully, they will be more excited to stay and raise a family in this area.” With educators like Cox championing its mission, EO’s Career Commons has had over 2,000 students come through its door, helping them their region not as a place to leave, but as a place full of opportunities where they can build a future.

Southwest Community College Virginia Army National Guard Virginia Tech: Southwest Center

Virginia Highlands Community College Virginia Department of Transportation W-L Construction & Paving Wize Solutions Wytheville Community College

At First Bank & Trust Company, kids come FIRST. Every child in our community deserves an opportunity to dream big, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future. By supporting EO, our company goals align for a greater purpose – creating lasting impact, empowering the next generation, and building stronger communities for tomorrow. -W. Mark Nelson, President & CEO