Careers2Classrooms | Four days. Forty-eight educators. Fourteen employer site visits.

One goal: helping educators guide students towards future opportunities in the Columbus Region.

For the fourth year in a row, the Careers2Classrooms externship program took K-12 educators out of their schools and brought them into workplaces across the Columbus Region for an immersive look at the industries shaping Central Ohio’s economy. 

Through experiences in energy, life sciences, health care, manufacturing, supply chain & logistics, transportation, and information technology, 48 educators gained insights and employer connections they can share with thousands of students during the upcoming school year, and for years to come.  

Site Visits 

Educators toured employers including Columbia Gas of Ohio, OSU Wexner Medical Center, OhioHealth, Andelyn Biosciences, G&J Pepsi, FST Logistics, Worthington Steel, CGI, Perry proTECH, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, and COTA.  

From life sciences and advanced manufacturing to logistics operations, aviation infrastructure, public transportation and emerging technology, each visit gave educators an understanding of how classroom learning connects to real-world careers. 

Bringing the Experience Back to Students 

The program concluded at COSI, where educators presented what they learned and explained how they plan to apply those insights in their schools. Stephen Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, also joined the event, offering remarks about the need for programs like Careers 2 Classrooms and how the educators in the room are helping to prepare Ohio’s talent for the future. 

The variety of presentations reflected the diversity of the cohort. Participants represented different subjects, grade levels, professional backgrounds and student communities. Some focused on careers they had not previously known existed. Others highlighted the communication, teamwork, problem-solving and technical skills employers consistently identified as essential and how they’d incorporate those skills into their lesson plans. One math teacher discussed how they’d incorporate problem-based learning into their lessons, giving students an opportunity to interface with a real industry issue and center the calculations on finding the most economical solution! 

Strengthening Ohio’s Workforce 

Students cannot pursue opportunities they do not know exist. 

By speaking directly with employers, educators return to their schools with current information about career pathways, required credentials, workplace expectations and in-demand skills. These relationships can also lead to classroom speakers, workplace tours, job-shadowing opportunities and new learning resources. 

For employers, Careers 2 Classrooms strengthens connections with schools and helps build the future talent pipeline. For students, it makes careers feel more visible, local and attainable. For Central Ohio, it helps create a workforce prepared to meet the needs of a changing economy. 

Made possible through partnership between the Columbus Chamber, the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, generous sponsorships through the Columbus Chamber Foundation and Chamber members, Careers2Classrooms is building a stronger bridge between education and the workforce. 

The externship lasted four days, but its impact will continue as 48 educators share what they learned with thousands of students across the Columbus Region.  

Planning is already underway for 2027 – contact the Chamber team to get involved!  

About the Columbus Chamber of Commerce: The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that serves more than 2,600 organizations across the Columbus Region. Founded in 1884, the Chamber serves as a strategic partner to the region’s businesses. We convene the community, advocate as the active voice for business, and navigate the insights, connections, and solutions that drive prosperity and growth. The Chamber provides an interconnected ecosystem where businesses collaborate to eliminate barriers to success, creating a vibrant environment for enterprises throughout the region. Together, we make our region an exceptional place to do business. Learn more: columbus.org. 

About The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation: The Columbus Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s goal is to remove barriers to prosperity and growth in the Columbus Region business community through strong relationships and purposeful inclusion. Learn more: www.columbuschamberfoundation.org.