Thousands of Aurora students explore careers at the APS Expo

Over 7,000 Aurora Public Schools students attended the annual APS Career Expo on Nov. 4‑5 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, where they met more than 110 industry professionals.

The two‑day event welcomed middle‑schoolers in grades 6‑12 for the first time, offering hands‑on activities that spanned aviation, construction, healthcare and manufacturing. Attendees learned about 11 APS Career and Technical Education high‑school programs and, for high‑school students, explored internships, industry credentials and post‑secondary options.

Rangeview High School senior Jaretsy Gama Dominguez said the expo helped her focus on the medical field. "I'm looking into something in the medical field. I'm leaning towards being a dental assistant," she explained, adding that she was drawn to the hands‑on work of cleaning and preparing medical equipment.

"We love giving our students an opportunity to explore new industries because we only know what we know," said Clay Horton, APS Coordinator of Employer Engagement. Design professional Gina Frenette noted, "It's been incredible to see all of these inspired teens coming out and doing something like this, getting exposed to so many different career paths and getting to see people who look like them doing so many different careers."

What this means for residents: The expo provides Aurora youth with direct exposure to local career pathways, helping families consider education and training options that support the city’s growing workforce.