750 Students Explore Future Careers at Southwest Tennessee Community College

For more information, contact Diana Fedinec, Southwest Tennessee Community College Director of Public Relations and Media, at 901-333-4247 or dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu.

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) - Southwest Tennessee Community College invites you to cover an inspiring story about how Memphis is preparing students for the careers that will shape our city’s future.

On Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Southwest will host its 2nd Annual Career Readiness Day in partnership with the Collierville School District at the Maxine A. Smith Center. Approximately 750 middle and high school students will visit the campus to explore college pathways and in-demand careers in health care (EMS and nursing), aviation, engineering, computer technologies, mechatronics, business, criminal justice, and much more.

This event highlights how Memphis-area schools, colleges, and industry partners are working together to prepare students early—helping them see real career opportunities, build confidence, and develop skills needed to enter the workforce. It’s a powerful example of how education is strengthening Memphis’ talent pipeline and economic future.

Visual and interview opportunities include:

• Students engaging with faculty and industry professionals across multiple career fields
• Hands-on demonstrations and mobile career exploration learning labs that include flight simulators, health care simulations, virtual reality, and engineering activities
• Students trying real-world tools such as stethoscopes and medical imaging technology
• Participation from community partners including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Baptist Memorial Health Care, and CodeCrew
• Welcome remarks from college and school district leadership

Southwest launched this partnership with Collierville Schools in 2025 to help students explore career and college pathways early. Last year’s event welcomed more than 700 students, and this year’s expanded event builds on that momentum—demonstrating how Memphis is investing in its future workforce.

Event Details:
Collierville Career Readiness Day
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
10:00 a.m.– 12:30 p.m.
Maxine A. Smith Center
Southwest Tennessee Community College
8800 East Shelby Drive
Memphis, TN  38125

Opening Remarks at 10:00 a.m.

Speakers include:

• Patrick Washington, Director of Southwest’s Maxine A. Smith Center
• Dr. Dedric McGhee, CTE Supervisor for Curriculum and Accountability with Collierville Schools
• Dr. Russell Dyer, Superintendent of Collierville Schools
• Sheria King, Interim AVP for Academic Transfer Pathways and Learning