The recent Armed Forces and Public Safety Expo marked the conclusion of the 2023-2024 CiTi Career Connections Series, which brought together over twenty representatives from the military and public safety sectors to network, educate, and engage with Oswego County students.

Held at the CiTi BOCES Mexico campus and targeted at students from eighth grade and up, the expo featured a variety of career awareness activities and interactive presentations. Students had the opportunity to try virtual flying, participate in military physical fitness challenges, observe a helicopter take-off and more.

Syracuse University’s Assistant Director of Veterans Admissions, Austin Bettinger, highlighted the importance of attending such events. “We attend to support the youth in our local community,” he said. “It is the driving force to empower those who serve.”

The following organizations attended the expo: New York State Police, SUNY Police, CiTi CTE, CiTi Adult Education, Cagyuga Community College Criminal Justice Department, SUNY Oswego, On Point for College, Oswego County Workforce New York, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Army, U.S. Army National Guard, U.S. Air National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Coast Guard, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, Oswego County Corrections, New York Life, Oswego 911, Syracuse University, Oswego County Fire Department and the Fulton Fire Department.

The Career Connections Series returns in the fall of 2024. The schedule is as follows:

• Manufacturing Day Expo: Friday, October 4, 2024
• Agriculture Day Expo: Friday, October 25, 2024
• Building Trade Union Expo: Friday, December 13, 2024
• Health Careers Expo: Friday, March 28, 2025
• Public Safety and Armed Forces Expo: Friday, May 29, 2025