Parkland Career Exploration develops and supports ongoing career exploration for students in grades 6 through 12. Its mission is to give students the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and pathways, using hands-on career related activities. PCE offers opportunities both directly to students and in collaboration with District 505 schools.
2024–2025 Career Exploration Events
Ag Tech Showcase
Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 9 am – 12:45 pm
Parkland College Main Campus, W building
Area high school students will have the opportunity to explore different programs in the Parkland College Agricultural Technology department. On Thursday, March 13, participants will meet with employers, learn about high-tech equipment, visit laboratories, talk with faculty, and enjoy hands-on ag-based activities.
Highlights of the showcase include:
- RC Tractor Pulling Contest
- Plant Propagation
- Ag Business and Farm Management
- Diesel, Case New Holland, and AGCO Programs
- Employer Networking
This event is free, and lunch is included.
Digital Media/Networking Workshop
Friday, April 4, 2025, from 9 am – 12 pm
Parkland College Main Campus, Room D244
24 student capacity per track.
High school students will spend the morning exploring hands-on activities in one of two tracks: Digital Media or Computer Networking.
Digital Media Track
In the Digital Media workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of modeling/digital sculpting for 3D animation and games. Students will experience hands-on learning with industry standard 3D software, taught by an experienced 3D modeling professional.
Computer Networking Track | The Cyber Heist: Computer Networking Escape Rooms
Students are a team of cybersecurity experts tasked with stopping a group of hackers who have infiltrated their school's network. Students will find clues, solve puzzles, and secure the network before the hackers steal sensitive information and drop their GPAs to zero.
This event is free, and snacks will be provided. Lunch is not included.
Registration will be open from Friday, March 7 until Friday, March 28.
UIUC IT Facilities Tour
Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Check-in: Parkland College Student Union, room U140
Light breakfast provided.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of two data centers that serve students and researchers both on the U of I campus and globally. Attendees will meet at Parkland College for check-in and an overview of Parkland's Network Administration program. From there, attendees will travel to the University of Illinois where they will experience networking on a large scale and engage in a fun scavenger hunt!
High school students and parents are invited.
Attendees will be required to drive themselves to the UIUC campus.
Registration will be open from Friday, March 7 - Friday, March 28.
Summer Start 2025
Juniors and Seniors attend 9 am – 12 pm; Freshmen and Sophomores attend 1 pm – 4 pm.
Summer Start 2025 is designed to prepare low-income
and first-generation-college high school students in the Unit 4,
Urbana, and Rantoul districts, however, students from all school
districts are encouraged to apply and will be considered as space
allows.This year we are expanding the program to include freshman
through seniors. There will be a different experiences for each
grade. These
FREE experiences will be held in half-day
sessions, Mondays through Thursdays in June, on the Parkland College
Campus. Students may only participate in one session per summer.
The application window for Summer Start 2025 has now closed. Please check back for future events!
For information related to PCE events, email pce@parkland.edu.