September 25, 2026
Transylvania County, NC
Building on the success of last year’s Manufacturing Day Series, Transylvania Economic Alliance, in partnership with Transylvania County Public Schools and Blue Ridge Community College, launched a four-part Career Day Series for the 2026–2027 school year. The series will introduce local high school students to a variety of career pathways and the businesses and professionals working in those fields throughout Transylvania County. The first event, Professional Services Career Day, was held on Thursday, September 24, and gave students a firsthand look at careers in law, banking, architecture, real estate, and accounting.
Nearly 20 students participated in a walking tour of downtown Brevard, visiting local businesses and organizations and hearing directly from professionals working in each field. Throughout the day, students learned about education and training requirements, career progression, the variety of jobs available within each profession, and what day-to-day work actually looks like. By bringing students directly into local workplaces, the event helped them connect their interests and skills with career opportunities they may not have previously considered.
“There is a big difference between hearing about a career and having the opportunity to step into that workplace and talk with the people doing the job every day,” said Kerry Putnam, Director of Career & Technical Education for Transylvania County Schools. “These experiences give students a much clearer picture of what different careers actually look like and help them make more informed decisions about the paths they may want to pursue.”
The Career Day Series also connects students with educational and training pathways that can help prepare them for their next steps after high school. “Students don’t always know the full range of careers available within a particular field or the different paths they can take to get there,” said Aimee Patterson, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Blue Ridge Community College. “Giving them an opportunity to meet local professionals, ask questions, and then understand the education and training available to prepare for those careers helps students turn an interest into a plan for what comes next.”
Participating organizations for Professional Services Career Day included Pisgah Legal Services, McKeller Law, First Citizens Bank, Platt Architecture, Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, and Trish Cheek, CPA. Each stop offered students a different perspective on professional careers, including the variety of roles within an organization, educational and licensing requirements, opportunities for advancement, and the skills needed to succeed.
“Banking is a great example of a profession where there are many different career opportunities that students may not immediately think about,” said Amber Webb, Senior Vice President with First Citizens Bank. “Beyond the positions students may see when they walk into a branch, there are careers in lending, business banking, management, wealth management, operations, and many other areas. Giving students exposure to those possibilities early can help them see career paths they may not have known were available to them.”
Professional Services Career Day was the first of four Career Days planned for the 2026–2027 school year. Each event will highlight a different career pathway and connect students directly with local employers and professionals. The initiative is part of TEA’s ongoing workforce development efforts to strengthen connections between education and industry while helping students better understand the career opportunities available in Transylvania County.
“Professional Services is one of TEA’s target markets and represents a wide range of high-quality career opportunities in our community,” said Shelia Carland, Chair of the Transylvania Economic Alliance Board of Directors. “We are grateful to the professionals who opened their doors and shared their experience with our students. This series brings our schools, community college, and business community together, with all of us investing in the next generation of Transylvania County’s workforce.”
The Transylvania Economic Alliance will continue the Career Day Series throughout the 2026–2027 school year, with three additional events highlighting different career pathways and local industries.
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The Transylvania Economic Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development organization focused on reinforcing and building a dynamic, local economy in Transylvania County, NC and across its unique places and communities. For more information on our organization, our target markets, and our areas of focus, please visit TransylvaniaNC.org or call (828) 393-4130.
