Junior high students from the Ogden, Davis, and Weber school districts gathered at the Ogden-Hinckley Airport for the Aerospace & Defense Career Discovery Day to engage with industry professionals and explore future career paths. The event, hosted by Wasatch Front North, utilized hands-on learning and flight line experiences to connect students with regional leaders in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Hands-On Career Exploration
The interactive event was designed to move beyond the traditional job fair model by providing students with direct professional networking opportunities. Through live demonstrations and interactive booths, participants were able to bridge the gap between classroom curriculum and real-world career applications.
Keynote Address by Mayor Nadolski
Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski delivered a keynote address during the event. In his speech, Nadolski spoke to the students regarding the importance of education and encouraged them to pursue professional careers within the aerospace industry.
Industry Partner Engagement
The Aerospace & Defense Career Discovery Day relied on the engagement of various local businesses and defense organizations. These industry partners hosted interactive sessions where they answered career-related questions and provided guidance on Career and Technical Education (CTE) tracks, industry certifications, and specific career opportunities.
Participating Industry Partners
The Ogden School District identified several key partners that provided time and expertise to support the students. Participating organizations included Richard Manufacturing Company, Mountain Pacific Consulting Group, Apogee Worx, Uplift Aerospace, JD Machine, Kihomac Industries, Paramount Machine, Bechtel – GIS Team, Hill Air Force Base (Ogden Air Logistics & Composites/Low Observables), Cornerstone Aviation, and 9Line LLC.
Inspiring Future Innovators
By connecting students directly with regional industry leaders, the event aims to discover, experience, and inspire the next generation of innovators in Utah.
