Key Information for Attendees

The 2026 Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo will be hosted at CVCC on October 19th & 20th, 2026

Watch This Video to Learn More about Worlds of Opportunity

2026 Teacher Resources

Thank you for taking a lead role in this valuable program. We are sure that your students will receive untold benefits from participating in the Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo, held on October 19th & 20th, 2026. Click each resource below to view and download.

WOO Presentation

Career Guide and Scavenger Hunt Coming Soon

Click here to view the 2025 Career Guide

View Photos Below from the 2024 Worlds of Opportunity held at

Central Virginia Community College.

Zone Information

The Worlds of Opportunity Career Expo is broken up into four zones. Each zone consists of different industry "worlds".

Watch the Career-Close Up videos below to learn about just a few of the occupations in each world.

Zone 1

Transportation, Energy/Utilities, Construction

FEATURED EMPLOYER: AndPower

Electric Utility Linework: Power Up Your Skills

Ever wondered how electricity gets from the power lines to your home? Electric utility lineworkers use specialized equipment, teamwork, and precision to keep the power flowing safely.

At AndPower, you’ll get to see a bucket truck up close and try two hands-on challenges that show what it’s like to work with the protective equipment lineworkers use every day.

Challenge 1: Gloves, Sleeves & Toss with Ease
Put on protective gloves and sleeves and see how they affect your movement and accuracy as you try to toss a small line bag onto a target.

Challenge 2: Bolt Up with the Big Gloves
Can you work with big gloves on? Try threading a nut onto a bolt while wearing protective gloves and experience the precision and coordination lineworkers need on the job.

As you take on these challenges, think about this: How can the right equipment help you do a difficult job safely?

Zone 1 Activities

Bedford Water

Water Operations & Maintenance: See How Water Gets Where It Needs to Go

What does it take to keep clean water flowing and water systems working? At this station, you’ll get a chance to try some of the tools and equipment used by water operations and maintenance professionals.

Challenge 1: Pump It Up
Take apart and put back together an actual water pump used in water treatment. See how the different pieces work together to help move water.

Challenge 2: Test the Water
Put your skills to the test as you learn how professionals check water quality. You’ll perform water tests using either raw or fully treated water.

Maintenance Demo: Get Behind the Controls
You’ll also get to see what it’s like to operate specialized equipment used to maintain water systems. Depending on the equipment available that day, you may operate a crawler that travels through a pipe or learn how a Vactor truck is used to clean lines and move water to places where it’s needed.

Come ready to get hands-on, try something new, and see the technology that helps keep our communities running.

Coleman-Adams

Construction: Build It Up

Ever wonder how buildings go from a set of plans to something you can actually walk into? At this station, you’ll get hands-on experience with some of the tools and techniques construction professionals use every day.

Challenge 1: Tie It Together
Learn how to tie rebar, the steel reinforcement that helps give concrete its strength. You’ll get to try it yourself and see how small details can make a big difference in a finished structure.

Challenge 2: Build It Up
Put your skills to work with a hands-on construction challenge. Depending on the equipment available, you’ll either assemble forms used to shape concrete or help set purlins on a mini Butler building.

Get ready to build, problem-solve, and see how the pieces come together to create something strong.

Foster Fuels

Fuel & Transportation: On the Road

Ever wonder how fuel gets where it needs to go? At Foster Fuels, you’ll get an up-close look at the trucks and technology that help deliver fuel and keep equipment running.

Challenge 1: Check Out the Trucks
Step inside and around a propane bobtail truck and a Fuel Quality Service truck and trailer. Meet the CDL drivers and technicians who operate this equipment and hear about the places their jobs can take them across the United States and Canada.

Challenge 2: Test the Fuel
See how Foster Fuels’ Fuel Quality team checks fuel quality through a hands-on activity using water and buckets. You’ll get a chance to try part of the testing process yourself and see why accuracy matters.

Come ready to explore, ask questions, and see how a career in fuel and transportation can take you far beyond your local community.

Sonny Merryman

Automotive Technology: Virtual Welding & Electric Vehicles

Get hands-on with the technology and careers that are shaping the future of transportation. Use Z Space computers to explore automotive parts in 3D and try a virtual welding activity that lets you practice the precision and skills used by automotive professionals. You’ll also get a closer look at real engine parts and see how the pieces work together. Then, step aboard an electric vehicle bus to explore the technology behind electric transportation. Meet the people who help operate, maintain, and keep these vehicles moving. Come ready to explore, build, and discover the many careers that keep vehicles—and communities—moving.

Carpentry

HVAC/Service Technician

Nuclear Technician

Service Plumber

Zone 2

Manufacturing, Automotive/Logistics, Engineering/Environment

FEATURED EMPLOYER: Framatome

1. Spent Fuel Crane Challenge

Can you move a load without knocking anything over? Use a mini-crane to carefully pick up model spent fuel rods while avoiding the model active fuel rods around them. Once you secure a spent fuel rod, you’ll need to carefully move it to the designated storage area. One wrong move can knock over an active fuel rod and end your mission. You’ll need a steady hand, good control, and careful attention to detail. Can you complete the challenge before the clock runs out?

2. Nuclear Inspection Maze Challenge

How well can a robot find its way through a maze? First, you’ll build a maze designed to challenge an autonomous robot. Then, place the robot inside and watch as it uses sensors and programming to navigate its way out without human control. Change the maze to make it easier or harder and see what obstacles you can create. This challenge shows how robots can help inspect and monitor areas that may be difficult or unsafe for people to reach. See if you can build a maze that finally stumps the robot!

3. Foreign Material Retrieval Challenge

Can you use a robot to pick up objects with precision? Control a robot with a joystick and maneuver it toward objects that don’t belong in the work area. Use the robot’s claw to grab each object and carefully move it to the designated collection area. You’ll need to balance speed, accuracy, and control as you work against the clock. This challenge demonstrates how robots can help nuclear industry workers safely retrieve objects from important equipment and work areas. How much foreign material can you retrieve before time runs out?

Zone 2 Activities

Aerofin / Buffalo Air / BWX Technologies

From Raw Materials to Finished Product

What does it really take to make a product from start to finish? In this extended, hands-on experience, you’ll step into the world of manufacturing and follow a product through the entire process—from planning and raw materials to production, assembly, quality checks, and the finished product. Along the way, you’ll take on different steps in the process as you build your own toolbox. Each part of the toolbox represents a different stage of manufacturing and shows how many people, skills, and technologies work together to create a finished product. You’ll see how blueprints, machines, tools, teamwork, and attention to detail all play a role in bringing an idea to life.

This isn’t a quick stop—you’ll stay at this activity for the entire zone rotation, giving you time to experience the full manufacturing process.

Banker Steel

Virtual Welding & Tools of the Trade

Ever wondered what it takes to become a skilled welder? Try a virtual welding simulation that lets you practice welding techniques in a safe, realistic environment. You’ll get to test your precision and coordination as you learn the basics of welding. Then, get hands-on with real tools used by professionals in a fabrication shop. Explore the tools, learn what they’re used for, and see how they help skilled workers build and repair all kinds of things. Come ready to try something new and discover the skills behind a career in welding and fabrication.

Cooper Steel

Welding Simulator

Ever wondered what it takes to make a strong, precise weld? Step up to a welding simulator and experience what it’s like to weld steel components used in real construction projects. The simulator will give you feedback on your technique, including your speed, angle, and how steadily you guide the welding gun. Try it again and see if you can improve your results! You’ll also get to see examples of the steel components fabricated in a real shop and learn how welders help turn those pieces into buildings. Ask questions, explore the tools and techniques, and learn about training and career opportunities in welding and the skilled trades.

Fleet Laboratories

Chemistry in Action

Get ready to see chemistry happen right in front of you! You’ll explore colorful chemical reactions and get the chance to participate in hands-on experiments. Try a hydration test that uses color changes to reveal what’s happening in a chemical reaction. You’ll also have the opportunity to try a titration activity and see how chemists use careful measurements to study and test materials. Along the way, you’ll see how chemistry is used in real-world jobs and industries. Come ready to experiment, make observations, and see if you can predict what happens next!

Delta Star

Measuring Up

Think you’re good at measuring? Accurate measurements are an important skill when building a transformer, even though they can be easy to overlook. In this challenge, you’ll test your ability to read a tape measure and measure exactly the right amount of material. Then, use your measurement to cut a piece of string to the correct length. Precision matters—see how close you can get for a chance to win a prize!

Packaging Corporation of America

How Paper Is Made

Ever wondered how paper and cardboard are made? Learn how everyday materials are transformed into the paper products we use at school, at home, and at work. You’ll explore the different steps involved in making paper and discover how materials are processed and combined to create the finished product. Then, help choose the materials that will be used in a hands-on paper-making activity. See what happens when you put the process into action and create something of your own. Come ready to experiment, make choices, and discover the science and technology behind paper making.

Truball Archery

Wrist Strap Release Assembly

Ever wondered how a product goes from a piece of metal to something you can use? In this hands-on activity, you’ll assemble an archery wrist strap release aid by attaching the release head to a leather or Velcro wrist strap. You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how these products are made from start to finish. Explore how blueprints, machining, and precision tools are used to turn raw metal into a finished product. You’ll see different stages of the manufacturing process and learn how each step plays a role in creating a working product. Come ready to build, explore, and discover how hands-on skills can lead to careers in manufacturing. Stickers and rubber wristbands will be available for students who participate.

Diesel Mechanic

Electrical Vehicle Transportation

Manufacturing Laborer

Industrial Mechanic

Machine Tool Operator

Zone 3

Public Safety, Hospitality/Tourism,Human Services, Agriculture & Trades

Zone 3 Activities

Liberty University Technical Studies

Carpentry

Ready to build something? In this hands-on activity, you’ll learn how carpenters use power tools to put materials together. You’ll use an impact driver to safely secure a fastener and practice the control and precision needed to get the job done right. See how the right tools and techniques can turn individual pieces of material into something useful. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the skills carpenters use every day on the job. Come ready to try it yourself and see if carpentry could be a career for you.

Lynchburg Police Department

Physical Agility Assessment

Think you have what it takes to complete the challenge? In this activity, student volunteers will get a chance to try a physical agility assessment similar to the first step in the hiring process for some public safety careers. The challenge combines running, burpees, and sit-ups to test endurance, strength, and determination. Participants will complete a 100-yard run, 15 burpees, and 15 sit-ups before repeating the sequence and finishing with one final 100-yard run. It’s designed to give you a taste of the physical preparation and commitment these careers can require. Bring your energy, give it your best, and see how you measure up!

Southern Air

Van de Graaff Generator & Complete the Circuit

Get ready to see electricity in action! Use a Van de Graaff generator to create a small electrical charge and explore how electricity moves through different materials. Then, put your problem-solving skills to work with the Complete the Circuit game. You’ll learn how electrical circuits work and see what happens when a circuit is incomplete. Test different connections, troubleshoot the problem, and figure out how to get the electricity flowing again. Come ready to experiment, solve problems, and discover the science behind electrical careers.

Kubota

Excavator Skill Test

Ready to put your equipment skills to the test? Take the controls of a mini excavator and see how well you can maneuver the machine. Your challenge is to carefully use the excavator to knock softballs off of cones. It takes control, coordination, and precision to hit the target without knocking over the cone. You’ll get a chance to experience what it’s like to operate equipment used by construction and excavation professionals. Come ready to take the controls and see how accurate you can be!

Lunchburg Express

Lynchburg Express Food Truck Tour

Ever wondered what it takes to run a food truck? Step inside the Lynchburg Express and explore the different skills and careers that keep a food truck moving. Outside the truck, you’ll practice basic knife skills using Play-Doh and safe culinary tools. Then, step inside for a behind-the-scenes tour and take on pretend food orders by preparing breakfast foods, fries, burritos, and pizza dough. You’ll get to see how different equipment is used to prepare food quickly and safely in a small space. High school culinary arts students will also share what they’re learning and talk about culinary arts programs and careers in the food industry. Come ready to cook, explore, and see where your culinary skills could take you!

Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

Hospitality & Tourism: Welcome to the Region

What brings people to the Lynchburg Region? Explore the events, attractions, and experiences that draw visitors to our community and support local hospitality and tourism careers. You’ll discover how festivals, sporting events, outdoor activities, and other experiences bring tourists to the region and create opportunities for local businesses. Then, put your skills to the test with a quick round of disc golf. See if you can land your disc in the basket while learning about the many careers that help visitors have a great experience. Come ready to explore, take your shot, and discover how tourism helps our region thrive.

Virginia Career Works

Career Matchmaker

Could you match someone with a career that fits their skills and interests? In this interactive game, you’ll step into the role of a Career Services Case Manager and help a fictional person find a career path that could be a good fit. Your team will draw a card describing the person’s interests and strengths, such as working with animals, building things, or learning about technology. Then, a volunteer will use the large career game board to choose a career that matches the person’s skills and interests. Your group will decide whether you agree with the match and explain why. Along the way, you’ll discover how career professionals help people explore careers, find training, search for jobs, build resumes, and make plans for their future. You’ll also get to think about how your own interests and strengths could connect to careers you might enjoy.

Cook & Food Preparation

Zone 4

Healtcare, Technology, Education, Business & Professional Services (Financial/Financial Services, Marketing/Communications, Customer Service /Retail)

FEATURED EMPLOYER: Virginia Credit Union

Approve or Decline: Loan Application Game

Think you could make the call on a loan? Step into the role of a loan officer and work with your team to review fictional loan applications. Each application will give you information about the applicant’s income, monthly expenses, savings, credit history, and what they want to borrow money for. You’ll use the information to calculate a simple debt-to-income ratio and decide whether to approve or decline the loan. Be ready to explain your decision and think about what the applicant could do to improve their financial situation. This activity gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how lenders make decisions and how everyday money choices can affect your ability to borrow. Will you approve the loan or decline it?

Zone 4 Activities

Atlantic Union Bank

Blueridge Scientfic

AquaZoo

Habitat Loss Simulation

What happens when animals lose the places they call home? Meet an animal from AquaZoo and take part in a hands-on simulation that shows how natural disasters, human activity, and the illegal pet trade can affect wildlife and their habitats. You’ll see how changes to an animal’s environment can impact its ability to find food, shelter, and safety. You’ll also discover how habitat loss can affect people, including our health, safety, and quality of life. Learn about conservation efforts and what people can do to help protect wildlife and the places they call home.

CENTRA

CloudFit Software

Physical Programming

Can you think like a programmer? In this hands-on challenge, you’ll use a set of instruction cards to create a “code” that guides a character through a maze. Put the instructions in the correct order, then submit your code to see if your character reaches the goal. If something goes wrong, you’ll have to find the “bug” and figure out how to fix it. Some challenges may include an extra objective to make the maze even trickier. See if you can write the right code and get your character to the finish!

Crawford Olin

Design Your Own App & Animate with Me

Activity 1: Design Your Own App
Think you can make an app easier to use? Step into the role of a UI/UX designer and redesign a “bad app” using a magnetic whiteboard and movable app features. You’ll learn how colors, buttons, menus, and layouts can make an app easier—or harder—to use. Then, race the clock to create your own improved app design.

Activity 2: Animate with Me
See how artists bring ideas to life through digital animation and comic art. Watch a live drawing and animation demonstration and explore some of the tools used to create digital characters, stories, and comic strips. You’ll get a glimpse into the creative and technology skills behind careers in animation and digital media.

First National Bank

Banking on Your Knowledge!

Think you have what it takes to be a banker? Grab a teammate and take on two quick challenges! First, see how accurately you can count a pretend cash deposit. Then, put your skills to the test by sorting “Fraud or Fact” scenarios into safe choices and red flags. Accuracy matters just as much as speed, so check your work before you make your final call. Along the way, discover how problem-solving, teamwork, and attention to detail are important skills in banking careers. Come ready to think fast, work together, and see if you have what it takes to bank on your knowledge!

Luper Team Mortgage

Healthcare Technician & Phlebotomist