Career Encounters brings nearly 2,000 prospective students to the campus of OSU Institute of Technology for the one-day event that showcases the university’s wide range of hands-on technical and applied science programs.

This year’s event is Tuesday Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with check-in outside the Student Union.

High school seniors, Career Tech students and adult learners are encouraged to attend Career Encounters to get an up-close, first-hand look at what OSUIT has to offer.

Every department and program will offer several one-hour sessions on different aspects of the program and attendees can choose three sessions to attend during the day.

With almost 60 sessions to choose from, everything from a high voltage pole climbing contest, prosthetics workshop, aluminum foil boat construction project and 3D software demonstration will be available to those visiting campus.

Some students choose to attend sessions offered by one department, while other students attend sessions from three different programs, said Sable Wise, OSUIT’s special events coordinator.

“They get to see and do everything. The scheduled activities are designed to help answer all of their questions and provide a level of expectation,” Wise said.

The sessions are a chance to meet the program’s faculty and staff one-on-one, interact and talk with current students and possibly meet prospective employers.

It’s also a chance for prospective students to see what classes are like in the programs offered at OSUIT.

“Applied technology is what we do. It’s hands-on where you can actively participate and play around with the equipment,” Wise said. “Come and check us out and see what we have to offer.”

There will be information booths throughout campus to assist anyone with directions, as well staff from the admissions and financial aid offices on hand to answer any questions.

Registration is required for Career Encounters, and those interested in attending should sign up soon because of limited seating in each session.

To see the brochure with session descriptions or to register online, go to the Career Encounters event page. You can also contact Sable Wise at 918-293-5220 or email sablew@okstate.edu