FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC PLANS CAREER AWARENESS,                    

DANVILLE, VA. March 11, 2004 -- Two exciting events for high school and college students, featuring national motivational speaker Chad Foster and the Fourth Annual Career Fair, is being planned for March 23 and 24. Sponsored by Danville Community College and the Southern Piedmont Tech Prep Consortium, all events will be held at the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research’s new facility at Danville’s Cyberpark. 

Foster, author of “Teenagers Preparing for the Real World,” is credited with developing and marketing the soft rubber playground surface seen at McDonald’s restaurants around the world.  He also hosts his own television show, Fly Fishing America, which airs on the cable channel ESPN2.  He will share his messages of success with students, parents, employers and others in the community who live with or work with young people. The messages include: (1) pursuit of dreams; (2) communication skills; (3) people skills; (4) early career preparation; (5) networking skills; (6) integrity; (7) making good choices; and (8) community service. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, March 23

1 p.m.:      Foster presentation for Pittsylvania County High School juniors and seniors

7 p.m.:      Foster presentation for DCC, Averett University students and the public.

Thursday, March 24

10 a.m.:    Foster’s presentation for George Washington High School juniors and seniors

11 a.m.:    Foster’s presentation for Halifax County High School juniors and seniors

1 p.m.:       Career Fair featuring more than 40 employers.

At the Career Fair on March 24, more than 40 employers are scheduled to participate. The Fair is targeted to DCC and Averett University students as well as others who are seeking employment. Dr. Barbara Bolin, Virginia's Workforce Development Coordinator also is scheduled to be at the Career Fair. Bolin was named to her post in June 2003 by Governor Mark Warner. As the Commonwealth's first coordinator of workforce development, she is responsible for coordinating the workforce services that are currently spread across 22 programs, within 10 state agencies.

For more information about these events, including businesses desiring to participate in the Career Fair, contact Cathy Conner, Coordinator, Career Placement and the Southern Piedmont Tech Prep Consortium at Danville Community College, (434) 797-8520.