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
Health Careers Exploration Event
Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 10 am – 1 pm
Parkland College Main Campus, Room D227
Join us for a unique, hands-on event designed for high school juniors and seniors to explore a variety of exciting healthcare career paths! Learn from industry professionals, discover the many opportunities in the healthcare field, and gain insight into what it takes to succeed. Don't miss out on this chance to get a closer look at your future in healthcare!
This is a come-and-go style event. Students are welcome to arrive any time during the event, stay as long as you would like, and leave when you're ready.
Surv-Con Workshop 2025
Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8:45 am – 12:30 pm
Parkland College Main Campus, Room D227
18 student capacity for this event. Lunch is provided.
Join us at SURV-CON 2025 for an exciting, hands-on workshop for high school juniors and seniors! Experience common tasks of a surveyor and contractor by working with GPS equipment, surveying instruments, and typical construction tools. Students will create maps, layout structure locations, and assemble walls for a small shed. Hear from current students and engage with local employers about future projects and internships.
A safety and photo waiver is required for this event. Waivers can be found at parkland.edu/workshopwaiver.
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.