Local students sign futures at Career Signing Day, stepping straight into workforce

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — More than a dozen Decatur Public Schools seniors took the next step into their futures Thursday, not by committing to a college, but by signing on for careers.

At the district’s annual Career Signing Day, 20 students from the Career Pathways program officially accepted positions with local employers, marking the culmination of years of hands-on training and real-world experience.

District leaders said the event, now in its seventh year, highlights a growing focus on workforce readiness and alternative pathways after high school.

Ashley Grayned, executive director of strategic planning and innovative programs for DPS, said the initiative is about giving students meaningful opportunities beyond the traditional college route.

“We celebrated 20 students from our Career Pathways program,” Grayned said. “These students are in programs with partners like ADM, Caterpillar, building construction trades and health care organizations. Many of them are getting paid, hands-on, engaging experiences, and once they complete their senior year, they’re going straight into full-time jobs.”

Students spend their final years of high school learning directly in the field, often earning wages while gaining skills that translate immediately into the workforce.

Syronne Mitchell, a senior at Eisenhower High School, signed on to continue his work in the Caterpillar Inc. program, where he’s been training as a welder.

“It was hard at first, just getting used to waking up early and doing a grown man's job,” Mitchell said. “But I always wanted to be in trades, and welding was the trade I wanted to do.”

Mitchell said signing his name made the long hours and hard work worth it.

“Just [an] achievement,” he said. “I worked through the whole summer, through the whole school year ... a lot of burn marks, a lot of sweat.”

District leaders said those experiences are exactly the point, preparing students not just for a job, but for long-term success.

Grayned noted that some former students who once sat in the same seats are now advancing in their careers, including stepping into leadership roles with local companies.

“It’s kind of a full circle to see where students were, where they are now and where they can be,” she said.

The program relies heavily on partnerships between DPS and local industries. The relationships Grayned said are critical to building a strong workforce pipeline in Decatur.

“They have needs, we have access to students ... why not partner to better serve our community?” she said. “Our students are the future workforce, and the more we can engage them early, the better.”

For Mitchell and many of his classmates, the day wasn’t just about signing paperwork; it was about proving that hard work pays off.

“A lot of kids should want to do this and pick up a trade,” he said.