It is often difficult for students to dream about a future they haven’t seen yet. On Thursday, February 26, approximately 2,000 eighth-grade students from across Butte and Glenn counties will get that chance, stepping out of the classroom and into the workforce at the third annual Butte/Glenn 8th-Grade Career Day.

Hosted at the Glenn County Fairgrounds, this landmark event represents a massive regional collaboration between the Butte County Office of Education (BCOE), the Glenn County Office of Education, and Butte-Glenn Community College. The goal is simple but ambitious: to intervene at a critical academic juncture—right before students enter high school—and show them the tangible link between their education and their future careers.

“Career Day is about more than just showing students what jobs exist. It’s about connecting their current education to their future potential,” said Amanda Samons, BCOE’s Sr. Director of Workforce Development and Business Partnerships. “It’s about sparking the curiosity early that leads to high-wage, high-demand careers right here in our local economy.”

More Than a Job Fair

Unlike traditional career fairs that rely on brochures and handshakes, the 8th-Grade Career Day is immersive. The fairgrounds will transform into a hands-on learning lab featuring nearly 500 educators, industry professionals, and volunteers.

Students will navigate through interactive booths where “learning by doing” is the rule. Past events have seen students wiring circuits, experimenting with medical equipment, and exploring heavy machinery. This tactile approach helps demystify complex industries and makes the concept of “work” accessible and exciting.

A Regional Pipeline

The partnership with Butte-Glenn Community College is a key component of the event’s strategy, ensuring that once student shows interest in a career, they know there is a local pathway to achieve their goals.

“It is vital that we don’t just tell students what is possible, but show them the roadmap to get there,” Samons said. “We want our students to walk away knowing that the tools are all here in their community for them to turn their new interests into a career.”

Event Details

The event is Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Glenn County Fairgrounds in Orland. Families and community members interested in learning more about the Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways available to students can visit the Butte County CTE website.