North Florida Worlds of Work (WOW) Career Expo Expands to Public, Connecting Job Seekers with 100+ Employers
For the first time, the community is invited to join North Florida students in exploring career pathways, participating in hands-on job explorations, and on-site interviews with employers during Community WOW.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — This year marks the 3rd Annual North Florida Worlds of Work career exploration event, presented by the Talent Development Council, which will take place Thursday, Oct. 23 – Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, on the campuses of Tallahassee State College and Lively Technical College. For two days, Worlds of Work (WOW) transforms Lively and TSC into an interactive career expo with 11 worlds, 18 industries, and 100+ employers. More than 3,000 students will participate in hands-on activities to spark career interests and guide future choices.
Traditionally, Worlds of Work is open to 9th-grade students from Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Taylor, and Liberty counties. This year, the TDC is expanding its impact by introducing Community WOW, a window on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 2–5 p.m., where job seekers and members of the public are encouraged to attend and explore in-demand career opportunities.
Community WOW will give community members a chance to participate in on-site interviews for part-time, full-time, and internship positions—all without the hassle of traditional hiring processes. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact directly with hiring contacts and potentially leave with a job offer in hand.
“WOW isn’t just a career fair, it’s a movement for economic mobility and a rare chance to meet employers face-to-face, have real conversations, and in many cases walk away with a job offer the very same day,” said Corrie Melton, Vice President of Membership & Talent Development for the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and member of the Talent Development Council. “Whether you’re a student just beginning to imagine your path, a parent exploring opportunities alongside your child, or an employer looking to fill critical roles, WOW proves that when schools, businesses, and the community work together, everyone benefits.”
A new data report from Lightcast shows the U.S. is projected to face a shortage of nearly six million workers by 2032. With an impending labor shortage on the horizon, initiatives like WOW are more critical than ever.
“Worlds of Work is all about opening eyes to new possibilities — helping students discover careers they may never have considered and start envisioning a future they’re excited about,” said Dr. Jim Murdaugh, President of Tallahassee State College. ”By welcoming the broader community, we’re also creating real opportunities for people to explore in-demand jobs available today.”
For more information about participating employers and details about the Community WOW event, visit www.northfloridaworldsofwork.com.
WHEN
Thursday, October 23, 2025 – Friday, October 24, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Daily
Community WOW
Thursday, October 23, 2025
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
WHERE
Tallahassee State College
444 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
Lively Technical College
500 Appleyard Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32304
WHO
WOW: 9th Grade Students from Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Taylor, and Liberty counties
Community WOW: ALL Members of the Community
List of participating employers here.
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About the Tallahassee Talent Development Council
In 2021, the Talent Development Council (TDC) was established with representatives from leading workforce and education entities in the Capital Region. The TDC developed a strategic plan to guide the process. The One Vision strategic planning process included input from nearly 50 stakeholders and qualitative research. From this engagement, the TDC developed and executed a comprehensive three-year plan. This plan continues to evolve in response to community, education, and workforce development needs, ensuring strong collaboration as we work to build a successful talent pipeline for local businesses and organizations.
For more information, contact:
Katie Harwood, Manager of Talent Development
Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce
kharwood@talchamber.com
(850) 521-3109
Media Contact:
Maria Elsbernd, Public Relations Manager
Revell Media
(850) 445-7219
