Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and employment for all students by building community networks that provide students with experiences in a variety of career fields and help them attain their life goals. Working to coordinate, not duplicate, career development efforts in Washington County and the surrounding area, BB2C has developed multiple programs that connect students, parents, and teachers to local businesses and employers. Over the last six years, 2,800+ students have been directly impacted through the implementation of their projects because of the community partnerships that were created. BB2C is an Ohio state-registered non-profit organization and the Marietta Community Foundation is the fiscal agent allowing for grants and donations that support the developed projects.
Job shadowing and internships allow for students to gain firsthand experience with a career and with local employers. Career Mentoring and the Problem Scenario Project provide avenues for community adults and businesses to be a part of the school and the curriculum. Student Ambassadors develop leadership skills by connecting their peers to the BB2C opportunities. Career Pathway Stories allow for unlimited access to career pathway information, and the Family Career Awareness Day directly connects parents and their children to local employers.
The Epicenter is a Youth and Entrepreneurial Development Center that brings the vision of BB2C to life by providing the area’s first small business incubator and community makerspace. The BB2C Epicenter enhances their networking capability through place-based entrepreneurial innovation and collaboration available to the entire community. Specifically, small businesses in the region need a place to incubate that provides face-to-face coaching, support, and a location in which to reside. Local businesses need to connect with youth in order to develop their future workforce. Youth and community adults want exposure and access to innovative technology in order to understand how the world of work is changing, and to see how their entrepreneurial ideas can be implemented. Local education and training institutions need a hub of referral that is not a formal campus environment. The Epicenter addresses all of these needs, and more.
The projects of BB2C connect with the various facets of the community in order to engage them in youth, community, and economic development. Through the connections that are made and the information that they provide they are able to help their students experience success and their communities to prosper.
