Career Connections of Western Nebraska (CCWN) recently completed its highly successful Career Cabs series, an initiative in its second year designed to connect high school sophomores across the Nebraska Panhandle with local career opportunities. The program engaged 625 students from 21 school districts and nearly 75 employers, fostering a deeper understanding of the career pathways available in their communities and region.
Spanning three regional events held in Alliance (September 18), Gering and Scottsbluff (October 16), and Sidney (November 13), Career Cabs offered students a day of immersive learning. At each event, students gathered in a central hub, where they were introduced to CCWN’s mission and prepared for a day of hands-on career exploration. Students then boarded buses corresponding to their chosen career pathways—Healthcare, Human Services, Arts/Communication, Trades, Agriculture, Criminal Justice, Education, or Business—and toured host employers that specialized in those fields.
Impactful Feedback from Students
Survey results from the event series helped qualify this year’s Career Cabs a success:
60% of students reported increased awareness of career opportunities available in western Nebraska.
64% gained a clearer understanding of the education required for various careers.
63% expressed interest in an internship with a local employer.
29% would like to start their own business.
45% expressed enthusiasm about the careers they explored, with comments like:
“We had an opportunity to read to kids, and it was so much fun. I could definitely see myself as a teacher.”
“I really liked getting to see what went on behind the scenes, instead of just what you see on the average day-to-day basis.”
“Career Cabs opened my eyes to the different sections of a wide category of jobs I am interested in. I think I could enjoy some of the jobs I saw on the tour because the job seems genuinely interesting and would keep me on my toes.”
Many students expressed interest in pursuing summer employment with their tour hosts to gain hands-on experience and develop new skills.
Career Connections of Western Nebraska (CCWN) is dedicated to fostering innovative, cross-sector solutions through a collaborative leadership team of system partners. They are committed to building strong, vibrant rural economies where businesses flourish, communities attract and retain talent, and students have clear pathways to the education, skills, and credentials needed for high-demand, family-sustaining careers—keeping them rooted in the Panhandle. CCWN is managed by Twin Cities Development and funded by Snow-Redfern Foundation, ESU 13, and First National Bank of Omaha.
Career Cabs are a key initiative of CCWN, providing students in the Panhandle with hands-on exposure to local career opportunities. These events inspire students to envision a future where they can build fulfilling careers and thrive within their own communities in Western Nebraska.In addition to the employer tours, students were introduced to valuable resources such as the InternNE program, a grant initiative powered by Aksarben, and CareerPathway.com, an app that helps young adults connect with area employers seeking to hire.
CCWN’s commitment to fostering career pathways reflects its mission to braid resources across agencies and sustain workforce development across the Panhandle’s 11 counties. The success of Career Cabs is a testament to the program’s impact on local students, employers, and communities alike.