Skagit Valley College, in collaboration with FuturesNW, hosted the 2024 Learning with Leaders event at McIntyre Hall on Nov. 13.
More than 200 local high school students from across Skagit and Whatcom counties attended with the opportunity to explore careers through hands-on workshops and direct interaction with industry professionals.
The event was a key stop in the 2024-25 Learning with Leaders series, which will continue at Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College.
Learning with Leaders was hosted by SVC’s Outreach and Recruitment Office in collaboration with faculty, aimed to give high school students from grades 9 to 12 a practical understanding of in-demand careers. Students explored fields such as healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing, while also being introduced to educational opportunities available at SVC.
Event highlights:
- Hands-on career exploration: Students engaged in interactive workshops, including a nursing simulation where they
practiced taking blood pressure and listening to heart and lung sounds using simulation
mannequins. In the automotive technology workshop, students learned about diagnostic
machines, airbag deployment, and car repair techniques.
- Professional networking: Students had the opportunity to meet with professionals from local organizations, including Skagit Regional Health, Oracle, and Janicki, to gain insights into in-demand careers and understand the skills needed to succeed in these industries.
- Lunch resource fair: During lunch, students visited the resource fair featuring representatives from SVC Foundation, financial aid, outreach and recruitment, and equity cohort programs, as well as other agencies and higher education partners. These offices provided valuable information about scholarships, financial aid, and other student services available at SVC to help students succeed in their academic and career goals.
- A collaborative effort to support local students: The Learning with Leaders event series was a multi-institutional collaboration led by FuturesNW, with additional events taking place at Bellingham Technical College (February 26, 2025) and Whatcom Community College (May 2, 2025). The series was designed to address the skills gap in high-demand industries while providing critical career exploration opportunities to underserved students across Whatcom and Skagit counties.
“We were proud to partner with FuturesNW to host this event at Skagit Valley College,” said Diana Peregrina, director of outreach and recruitment at SVC. “Our goal was to provide students with hands-on experiences and direct connections to education and career opportunities. By interacting with industry leaders, students gained critical insights into potential careers, helping them make informed decisions about their future and equipping them with the tools they need for success.”
About Skagit Valley College:
SVC serves Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties in Washington state, offering a range of academic programs, workforce training, and student support services. SVC is committed to providing accessible education and empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals.
About FuturesNW:
FuturesNW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underserved students achieve their college and career goals. Through events like Learning with Leaders, FuturesNW connects students with local industries, offering career exploration and networking experiences that pave the way to successful, high-wage careers.
For more information about the Learning with Leaders event at Skagit Valley College, contact the Outreach and Recruitment Office at outreach@skagit.edu.
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