Gadsden County High School hosted a career fair, bringing dozens of local employers under one roof to help students find opportunities close to home.
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As students prepare to take their next steps after graduation, some plan to attend college, while others are entering the workforce. For students not planning to attend college, the fair offers a direct pathway into careers that are already in demand.
"This event helps everyone see all the places that we have in Gadsden County, that it’s multiple jobs here for them, no matter what their age is," Cleanity Wiggins said.
Wiggins, the Assistant Principal at Gadsden County High School, said events like this are about showing students they can build a future without leaving their community.
"And we want everyone to come out and represent, and we want them to see that we have some talented students here at Gadsden County High School," Wiggins said.
Keeping young talent local is a growing priority as community leaders work to strengthen the county's workforce and economy. Organizers say building connections early makes a difference for both students and the future of Gadsden County.
"I feel like at a young age, coming to high school, you need to figure out different career choices and figure out what you can do as you get older to figure out what is good for you and how you can advance in life," Nevaeh Bostick said.
Bostick is a student in Gadsden County.
This comes after the Florida Department of Commerce reports the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5% in January. That’s up 0.2 percentage points from December 2025 and up 1.0 percentage point compared to this time last year. The data shows about 499,000 Floridians were unemployed out of a labor force of more than 11 million.
Leaders say creating opportunities close to home is key to building a stronger workforce for the future.
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