The 3rd Annual Student Career Expo was held Tuesday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 2 at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Over 50 area businesses, colleges, southwest Iowa and Nebraska high schools joined together as high school students discovered, explored and learned about careers in the fields of Information Technology, Health Science, Bio Science, Advanced Manufacturing and Entrepreneurialism. This was the first year that SCC combined our individual expos into one two-day Student Career Expo. Based on last year's student feedback, this year's expo featured break out sessions that students rotated through based on their career interests.

Business presenters shared about their company, career path, education and challenged students to consider their future career choices in Information Technology, Health Science, Bio Science, Advanced Manufacturing and Entrepreneurialism. Colleges and universities joined businesses and presented educational choices and options as students charted a course for their future career. Google, Geek Squad, CyaNet Sports, Ellison Automated Technologies, Creighton University, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, Silicon Prairie News, Heartland Technology Solutions, Alegent Health Allied Health Schools and JM Web Designs were among the businesses presenting this year.

On Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26, sophomore students from Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln High Schools had the opportunity to discover, explore and learn about area college and career opportunities. This event was part of the career planning process being implemented by the Council Bluffs Community School District to better prepare students for their future.

During this First Annual Council Bluffs College and Career Days, students spent the morning of each day either at the Henry Doorly Zoo or the Strauss Performing Arts Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This two day event served over 550 students and 28 chaperones taking place at two locations simultaneously.

Presenters included professionals from Google, The Council Bluffs Police Department, The Henry Doorly Zoo, Iowa Western Community College, Metropolitan Community College, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The following career fields were presented to students: agriscience and natural resources, media arts and communication, engineering and industrial technology, information management and marketing, family and human services and media, arts and communication. On the first day Abraham Lincoln students attended the Henry Doorly Zoo for a "behind-the-scenes" tour while Thomas Jefferson students went to UNO for a presentation which included speakers, videos and giveaways for participating students. On Thursday Thomas Jefferson students went to the Zoo while Abraham Lincoln students went to UNO.

The 2nd Annual Health Science Career Expo was held Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. Over 35 area businesses, colleges and southwest Iowa high schools joined together as high school students discovered, explored and learned about careers in the field of Health Science.

Business presenters shared about their company, career path, education and challenged students to consider their future career choices in Health Science. Colleges and universities joined businesses and presented educational choices and options as students charted a course for their future career. Alegent Health, Advanced Prosthetics and American Medical Response were among the businesses presenting this year.

The 1st Annual Entrepreneurial Career Expo was held Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Iowa Western Community College's Looft Hall in Council Bluffs. Over 25 area businesses, colleges and southwest Iowa high schools joined together to help students discover, explore and learn about entrepreneurialism by connecting them to the world of business.

Area Entrepreneurs shared about their company, career path, education and explained to students the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur and what they should be doing now in order to be successful after high school. FFG Consulting, CyaNet Sports, DARMEDIA, Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast and JM Communications were among the businesses presenting this year.

The 2nd Annual Information Technology Career Expo was held Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs. Over 35 area businesses, colleges and southwest Iowa high schools joined together as high school students discovered, explored and learned about careers in the field of information technology.

Business presenters shared about their company, career path, education and challenged students to consider their future career choices in Information Technology. Colleges and universities joined businesses and presented educational choices and options as students charted a course for their future career. Google, Geek Squad, CyaNet Sports and DARMEDIA were among the businesses presenting this year.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2008 sophomores, juniors and seniors from eighteen area high schools joined metro area business leaders to focus on a future career in health science. Area businesses participated as expo presenters, mock job interviewers, volunteer workers and sponsors of expo competition prizes. This expo was a pilot event being held at the Looft Hall Auditorium at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. The Health Science Expo is sponsored by the College Career Academies which are a partnership of Iowa Western Community College, Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, southwest Iowa high schools, and local businesses.

The 2007 College Career Academies (CCA) Information Technology Expo was part of a greater effort to develop the regional workforce by preparing students to be college and career ready to compete in a global, high-tech marketplace.

This year's expo was a pilot event being held at the Looft Hall Auditorium at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. Students from thirteen of the region's 33 high schools participated.

Students heard personal stories from business leaders regarding their careers and how information technology is used in their business. Students were given the opportunity to participate in both a team video competition and mock job interviews judged by participating businesses.