This year’s State of Jobs Conference presented by CareerSource Suncoast welcomed over 800 students to Bayside Community Church to inspire the next generation workforce. Students represented nearly 20 schools from four counties including Manatee, Sarasota, Desoto, and Hardee Counties. More than 100 business and community leaders flooded the campus running industry-specific keynotes, hosting leadership round table discussions, providing hands-on demonstrations, and volunteering. This year’s conference specifically provided students an opportunity to learn in high-demand industries including healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, information technology, arts/design, and business.

Students were welcomed by communications expert, Steve Shenbaum, president of game on Nation, a nationally recognized communications firm. Shenbaum focused the opening keynote on the power of connection and the importance of being present in the moment. Shenbaum closed the day with an inspiring message of cutting through the sparkle and fakeness of life and allow student’s authenticity to be their defining differentiator in the marketplace.

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