CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERIES – Roots & Routes: Supporting Career Aspirations of Rural Appalachian Students

The first session of the SOCHE Career Development Series will be “Roots & Routes: Supporting Career Aspirations of Rural Appalachian Students,” hosted on Friday, Oct. 3, from 12-1 p.m. ET via Zoom. Aaron Sturgill, Executive Director of Career Services at Ohio University, will be presenting. 

Rural Appalachian students often face distinct tensions as they balance cultural identity, deep place attachment, and evolving career aspirations. These students may feel torn between honoring familial and community ties and pursuing opportunities that require them to leave their home region.  

This session invites higher education professionals -- especially those in career services, advising, and student support -- to examine how culturally responsive, student-centered practices can better serve Appalachian students as they navigate these complex decisions. 

Attendees will explore the implications of place-based identity on career planning and consider the nuanced role higher education plays in either reinforcing or challenging students’ sense of home and possibility. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of Appalachian culture and with actionable strategies to support students in ways that honor their identities while also expanding their vision for the future. 

Click here to learn more about the event and the presenter.

Whether students choose to stay in their communities or seek new horizons, professionals can play a critical role in making all career paths feel valid, visible, and attainable. Register now to join us in learning how to provide a supportive educational environment for this unique group of students. 

Registration for this event closes on Sunday, Sept. 28.

[If you are unable to attend live, a recording link will be sent to all registrants.]