By Jill Hackman, Career Coordinator at Garden Spot High School
As business leaders, we often talk about workforce development in terms of pipelines, skills, and opportunities. But one of the most powerful influences on the next generation is much simpler: exposure.
Students cannot pursue careers they have never seen.
As Career Coordinator at Garden Spot High School in the Eastern Lancaster County School District, I have the opportunity to help students explore careers, build professional skills, and connect with real opportunities in our local workforce through Garden Spot Career Pathways.
Our programs include career coaching, internships, co-op placements, and an annual Job & Education Fair. Career coaching is offered to students in grades 9–11 and gives them multiple opportunities each year to explore careers through business tours, job shadows, and career fairs. These experiences help students discover both careers they are interested in and many they may have never known existed, while also introducing them to the incredible opportunities available right here in Lancaster County.
For seniors, we offer internships and cooperative education placements that allow them to gain real professional experience before graduating. Internships are typically designed for college-bound students and provide about 80 hours of professional experience during one semester of their senior year. This experience helps students build confidence and gain a clearer understanding of the field they may pursue, while also giving businesses valuable support on projects or day-to-day work.
Co-op placements are often a great fit for students planning to enter the workforce after high school, particularly in the skilled trades. These students work a minimum of 15 hours per week, often 25–32 hours, as they begin transitioning from a part-time high school job into a long-term career pathway.
Each spring we also host a Job & Education Fair where students practice networking, explore job opportunities, and build professional connections. This year we will host 90 businesses, and for the first time we will open the fair to community members from 3:00–4:00 PM.
While these programs help students explore possibilities, they rely heavily on the participation of our local business community.
One of the simplest and most impactful ways professionals can support students is to invite them in. A one-hour business tour can open a student’s eyes to an entire career pathway. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Start small.
When students see what is possible and meet the professionals doing the work, they begin to imagine themselves in those roles. If our students aren’t aware of the opportunities available here in Lancaster County, another region will gladly recruit them. Exposure matters, and local businesses play a powerful role in helping students see a future right here in their own community.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by strong women leaders who continue to influence my work today. Women like Heather Valudes, Lauren Miller, Anna Ramos, and Kim Patrick are helping lead the charge in workforce development across Lancaster County.
What stands out most about their leadership is their commitment to collaboration. It is easy for organizations to stay in their own lanes, but these leaders consistently bring people together across industries, education, and community organizations. Their leadership reminds me that when we work collaboratively, we create stronger solutions and greater opportunities for everyone in our community.
Opening career pathways for the next generation is truly a community effort. When businesses, educators, and community leaders work together, we help students see what is possible and create opportunities for them to build their futures right here in Lancaster County.
Take Action with Inspire Lancaster
If you are interested in opening doors for the next generation, Inspire Lancaster provides opportunities for businesses to connect directly with students across Lancaster County. Through career fair participation, career exploration experiences, and employer partnerships, the program helps students discover career pathways while building stronger connections between education and our local workforce.
Learn more about how your organization can get involved at inspirelancaster.org.
Author Bio
Jill Hackman serves as Career Coordinator at Garden Spot High School in the Eastern Lancaster County School District. Through Garden Spot Career Pathways, she works with local businesses and community partners to help students explore careers, build professional skills, and connect with opportunities in Lancaster County’s workforce.
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