Career Exploration Series
Career Exploration Series
Registration opens September 15, 2026
Overview
The Career Exploration Series (CES) offers an exciting lineup of interactive virtual webinars tailored specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 6–12. Each semester, we dive into unique career paths, pair them with engaging activities, and help you discover potential college majors that can turn your dream career into a reality.
Upon registration, you may receive a complimentary box filled with hands-on supplies and materials to enhance your webinar experience and keep the exploration going at home!*
Want to revisit past workshops or have a specific career topic you’d love to see covered in a future webinar? We want to hear from you! Reach out to us anytime at ces-info@rit.edu to submit a request.
*Please note: Not all webinars include physical supplies and materials. Contact us for specific session details.
Registration opens September 15, 2026
Register for a Webinar Event
Every season, we will announce new webinars as they become available. Designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 6–12, each session focuses on a distinct industry, providing valuable insights and engaging experiences. You are welcome to register for a single webinar or the entire series.
- Time: All webinars take place on their scheduled dates from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET.
- Can’t make it live? Video recordings will be provided for all registered participants who cannot attend the live session.
If you have any questions or would like to request access to our webinar archives, please email us at ces-info@rit.edu.
Registration Options
Individual Student Registration
Click the button below to register an individual student.
Note: If your teacher is registering your entire class, please do not register individually.
Teacher & Group Registration
If you are a teacher planning to attend with a group of deaf or hard-of-hearing students, you do not need to register each student individually (and you should instruct them not to register themselves).
Instead, let us handle the paperwork for you! Simply email ces-info@rit.edu with the following information:
- The name and date of the webinar
- A list of your students' full names, grade levels, and email addresses
Past Webinars
Missed a live session or want to revisit a great presentation? All of our webinars are recorded. Simply reach out to ces-info@rit.edu to request access to our past sessions and materials.
Or send your request via this form:
Forensic Science
Maya Penn
What is it about? We’ve all seen CSI and movie characters lift fingerprints off surfaces. Forensic science is the analysis of scientific evidence from crime scenes
What will students learn? What is the science behind human fingerprints, and why are no two fingerprints the same? How do forensic scientists work with fingerprints to solve crimes?
Why should they participate? Students will receive a fingerprinting kit, and will learn what the difference is between loops, whorls, and arches.
What careers might it lead to? Forensic Science, Fingerprint Analysis, Crime Scene Technicians, Laboratory Analysts
Architecture
Chris Brucker
What is it about? We are surrounded by buildings. Each and every one of those buildings holds an immense amount of weight- how do they not fall down!? Architecture is the art / science of designing buildings.
What will students learn? What is the process of designing a building? How do architects design blueprints? How do the world’s tallest buildings not fall down?
Why should they participate? Students will receive an architecture / engineering kit to assemble with guidance from our presenter.
What careers might it lead to? Architecture, Civil Engineering, CAD Technicians, Drafters, Surveyors
Innovation
Scot Atkins
What is it about? Look around your house and classroom. How many gadgets or cars are new in the past 20 years? Innovation is one of the cornerstones of our society, and pushes human advancement forwards.
What will students learn? How do innovators ‘innovate?’ How do you develop your short idea into a full-fledged business plan or pitch? Who are some successful Deaf / Hard-of-Hearing innovators?
Why should they participate? Are you considering joining RIT/NTID’s Next Big Idea Competition—High School version or do you aspire to start your own business? Students will receive a kit with relevant materials!
What careers might it lead to? Business, Sales, Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing
Ultrasound and Anatomy
Elizabeth Ayers
What is it about? Curious to see what is inside the human body? Follow along with a sonographer as they identify some of the basic organs visible via ultrasound.
What will students learn? How does ultrasound work? Where do we use ultrasound? Why is a sonographer important and what is their role in keeping us healthy?
Why should they participate? Students will receive a human anatomy model to keep. Refer to this model when studying for your biology quizzes!
What careers might it lead to? Sonographer / Ultrasound Technician, Nurse, MRI/X-Ray/CT Technologist, Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory Technician
Tasting Evolution
Daniel DiMartino / RISE Program
What is it about? Why do we dislike bitter foods? What is taste blindness? How do we utilize laboratory techniques and genetics to assess taste-blindness? This webinar will provide an answer to these questions and more!
What will students learn? PTC (Phenylthiocarbamide) is a chemical, which based on your genes, either tastes very bitter or is tasteless. Students will learn if they are a PTC taster, the basics of the genetics surrounding the topic, and a common laboratory technique utilized to visualize taster and non-taster genetics.
Why should they participate? Students will receive a PTC taster test that will imitate an example of how a scientist might analyze taster genetics. Additionally, students will gain insight into a program offered at RIT that provides STEM-oriented opportunities to deaf and hard-of-hearing scholars.
Script Your Own Superhero
Morpheyes Studio Team
What is this webinar about? Stories are all about connecting with the audience through characters. In this webinar, we will explore how to create a superhero character through storytelling and drawing. Learn about the different roles it takes to create interesting characters and fun stories from scratch, as well as the process to transform the story into a character drawing.
What will students learn? What does the creative design & story development process look like? How do you adapt a textual script to a visual character? What steps or individual jobs are involved in this process? What are some good drawing tips?
Why should students participate? Students will receive color markers, their own script template, & a superhero template. Develop your own story with a superhero to post up on your bedroom wall! Flex your storytelling or drawing skills with this hands-on creative challenge. This challenges the students to think creatively with purpose and intent through entertaining exposure to professional story and character development. They get to be the masters of their own stories-- instead of experiencing someone else’s or having to work on someone else’s vision -- this is practice in creating a story/character of your own making.
What careers might this webinar lead to? Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, Video Game Design, Storytelling in any form (graphic novels, comics, film, digital, TV, video games, etc.), Filmmaking, Producing, Directing, and Writing.
Exercise Science and Athletics
Skip Flanagan
What is this webinar about? Athletes don’t do it all by themselves. Many individuals are involved in supporting a student athlete’s life, and much science is involved in ensuring the human body is well-trained.
What will students learn? What does exercise science mean? What types of careers can people interested in athletics enter? How does a student athlete balance their time?
Why should students participate? Students will receive resistance bands and basic training on how to utilize the resistance bands. Bring the bands home to stay in shape!
What careers does this webinar relate to? Exercise Science, Athletic Trainers, Personal Trainers, Nutritionists, Sports Management
Printmaking
Laural Hartman
What is this webinar about? Printmaking has been used by humans for thousands of years. You probably see posters, cards, or other items created by printmaking every week.
What will students learn? Types of printmaking used in today’s world, and how to create art or designs through printmaking
Why should students participate? Students will receive a printmaking kit and create a print with the guidance of the instructor.
What’s interesting about it? This is just the beginning! Students can continue to create prints at home or school with the kit we will provide.
What careers does this webinar relate to? Printmaking, Graphic Design, Art Education
Virtual Reality
Tiandre Turner
What is this webinar about? Many people say Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are the future of video gaming and learning. This webinar will reveal the difference between the two.
What will students learn? The difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, and where VR/AR is heading in the future.
Why should students participate? Students will receive a VR/AR kit. With the use of a smart phone, students will view worlds in VR and items in AR with the guidance of the instructor.
What’s interesting about it? You can explore any world or map in 3-D via the VR kit! The kit is yours to keep and experiment with after the presentation!
What careers does this webinar relate to? Film/Animation, Computer Science, Game Design & Development
Entrepreneurship and Business Pitches
Scot Aktins
RIT/NTID Associate Professor- Department of Business Studies
What is this webinar about? Entrepreneurship continues to be one of the foundations of our economy. Many entrepreneurs begin by giving business pitches to investors.
What will students learn? What are the fundamentals behind a business pitch? What tools can you use to convince investors to invest in your business?
Why should students participate? Are you considering joining RIT/NTID’s Next Big Idea Competition—High School version or do you aspire to start your own business? Students will receive a kit with relevant materials!
What’s interesting about it? This presentation will help you prepare for NTID’s Next Big Idea competition where high school students compete for prizes!
What careers does this webinar relate to? Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Marketing