From robots to real-world careers: P2P Expo ignites spark in 10,000 area students

What does the future look like for an 8th grader in South Carolina? This week, it looked like spinning turbines, robotic controls, and lifesaving medical equipment.

Pathways 2 Possibilities (P2P), an initiative by the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, welcomed nearly 10,000 students to the Myrtle Beach Convention Center for a hands-on preview of the modern workforce. Covering 19 career sectors, the expo gave students from 10 neighboring counties a chance to move beyond the classroom and into the “driver’s seat” of potential careers.

Highlights of the Expo:

• Hands-On Learning: Students conducted lab experiments, operated robots, and climbed aboard utility and emergency vehicles.
• Expert Guidance: Industry leaders from Boeing, Brookgreen Gardens, Anderson Brothers Bank, McLeod Health, Santee Cooper, and Georgetown County Public Safety shared exactly what training is needed to turn an interest into a paycheck.
• Regional Scale: The event drew students from across the Grand Strand, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry, supported by a massive volunteer effort to shepherd the next generation toward success.

By turning “what if” into “how to,” P2P ensures that area students leave not just with a bag of goodies, but with a blueprint for their future.

19 Career Pathways Featured:

Aerospace; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Arts, AV Technology & Communications; Business Management & Administration; Education & Training; Energy; Engineering & Polymer Science; Finance; Government & Public Administration; Health Science; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security; Manufacturing; Marine Science; Marketing; and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.

Click on the images below to get a better look:

About the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation

Established by Frances P. Bunnelle in the year 2000, the Bunnelle Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for Georgetown County, SC residents. Efforts are focused on Mrs. Bunnelle’s primary concerns: meeting basic human needs, addressing the root causes of poverty, preserving the environment, promoting economic vitality, and encouraging positive youth development.