Several thousand students from 46 public high schools, 2 private schools and a local homeschool association gathered at Alexandria’s Randolph Riverfront Convention Center to learn more about what educational and career opportunities await them at the Students Exploring Career Opportunities (SECO) event November 19 and 20. The event, in its tenth year, is sponsored by the Orchard Foundation, a subsidiary of the Rapides Foundation that is dedicated to educational improvement.

The students met with 77 community partners such as local colleges, CLTCC, local hospitals, CLECO, the cities of Pineville and Alexandria, local industry, the US Army and others. The students were able to learn more about a variety of career pathways and how to prepare themselves for life after high school. Events such as the SECO Career Information Fair give students a chance to learn and make informed choices when they choose a pathway to college or a career in high school.