Growing Talent for the Future
In March 2025, Katy Wiggs was honored by Hillstock Consulting as a “Trailblazing Woman Leader” for founding SC Career Kids, a program that introduces students to career opportunities early. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a shortage of critical-skills workers in fields like nursing and public safety. Wiggs was inspired to address the gap: 45% of jobs are considered “critical needs,” but only 29% of people have the right skills.
Developing the Program
Wiggs, a former classroom teacher, believes in exposing students to career options early. She launched SC Career Kids at the Irmo Chamber of Commerce, working with local partners to create supervised learning pods for remote learners. The team engaged local business owners, who provided real-world lessons – such as a baker connecting fractions to baking and an agriculturist making activities fun.
All program instructors and group leaders are experienced, certified teachers skilled in observation and assessment, and collaboration is essential.
Without a playground, children built objects outside and developed problem-solving skills. SC Career Kids’ goal to connect students with industry partners and link classroom learning to real-world careers through hands-on activities was taking form.
Growing the Vision
A Department of Education grant helped launch a successful after-school club at Irmo Elementary, drawing full groups and experts to teach essential skills. The team also launched a summer camp that quickly sold out and soon outgrew its venue.
Wiggs was inspired by her childhood experience at “Safety City,” a program that taught traffic safety through hands-on play. She felt that a similar model would have a positive impact on their kids. As a result, SC Career Kids launched “Safety Town”, featuring mini businesses, roads, and a lake for exploration. Children interact with tools used by safety experts and participate in purposeful play to learn about community careers like farming, public service, and grocery work. Safety Town partners with organizations like the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and over a dozen others. Experts lead small-group rotations where children play, dress as professionals, and learn firsthand about various careers. Activities include riding bikes to practice safety, role-playing in professions, and exploring a miniature airport and hospital.
Another SC Kids’ goal is to empower children to make safe choices. In partnership with the Department of Natural Resources, they use a makeshift “blue lake” and a small rubber boat to teach water safety. Children practice with life jackets and whistles and learn not to go near water without proper supervision or a life jacket. Wiggs emphasizes that empowering kids to make these decisions is central to SC Kids’ mission.
Wiggs remembers that although their first year was challenging, the group agreed it was one of their best educational experiences. She considers her dedicated Career Kids team the best she’s ever worked with.
Partnering
The program aims to adapt to the needs of the community, students, and educators. Since their curriculum is unique and cost-prohibitive to run daily, they focus on partnerships to extend their reach. SC Kids partners with programs like the Irmo/Chapin Recreation Commission, which operates after-school programming in Lexington/Richland 5.
Through these partnerships, SC Kids now serves Lexington/Richland 5, Lexington 1, Richland 2, Spartanburg, and Career & Technical Education programs. Their “Safety Town” initiative now reaches schools statewide. They take their programs directly to schools or partner organizations such as MUSC in Charleston, ETV, and SC First Steps.
Without a physical base, staff rely on technology for collaboration and communication. Their business infrastructure includes support in social media, accounting, and document preparation.
Wiggs said, “SC Kids prides itself on the fact that the majority of the funding goes back into the program. The Town of Irmo has been wonderful to us, a huge supporter. SC Kids work with both Chapin and Irmo Chambers, who have been a huge help.”
The program has collaborated with the Department of Education and held workshops, focusing on continuous Pre-K elementary solutions that bring community, curiosity, and collaboration into classrooms—not just during career days, but year-round.
A virtual Career Quest map on their website highlights businesses and organizations across the state, aimed at elementary and early middle school students. They hope to expand this resource, which features video excerpts and interactive explorations.
Anything is Possible
Wiggs believes in exposing young people to career possibilities. Her family’s background in education and business shaped her as a decision-maker with a broad outlook. She always wanted to be a teacher – in part through time spent helping her grandmother, the first kindergarten teacher in Tipp City, Ohio. Her father ran his own business, and Wiggs showed an inherent interest in business as well.
As the Founder of SC Career Kids, Wiggs enjoys being able to think big, while her expert team helps bring her vision to life. In effect, she has merged the strengths she absorbed as a child, combining her love of teaching with her natural talent for business. Her own journey exemplifies an important goal of the SC Career Kids program.
Wiggs believes the SC Career Kids message is that anything is possible. Exposing children to new experiences helps break stereotypes and empowers them to see all opportunities. In short, the program is growing talent in their community.
SC Kids is always looking for volunteers and sponsorships to help support their programs and make them accessible to all.
Wiggs and her husband, Barkclay, work remotely and have two children–son, Eli, and daughter, Ellis. Eli already shows an interest in engineering but also demonstrates essential people skills. Developing these skills is the key goal of SC Career Kids and for the Wiggs children as well.