River Parishes Community College (RPCC) hosted its 2025 Industry Match Day Wednesday at the Gonzales Campus, bringing together students and top industry leaders for a day filled with career exploration, networking, and direct internship opportunities.
Organized by RPCC’s Energy Sciences Division and Work-Based Learning team, the event connected 3rd and 4th semester students from Process Technology, Electrical & Instrumentation, and Physical Science programs with potential employers and mentors for a chance to showcase their skills and build valuable relationships.
Industry Match Day featured three key components:
- Career Readiness Workshops – Students engaged in mock interviews, resume reviews, and industry-specific Q&A sessions led by professionals from more than a dozen participating companies.
- Skills Showcase & Innovation Fair – Ten student teams demonstrated their technical abilities and innovative thinking through hands-on challenges and displays judged by industry representatives.
- Internship Spotlights – The event concluded with a networking session where students shared their internship experiences and connected directly with employers offering future opportunities.
Participating industry partners included:
- Ascension Fabrication,
- AWC,
- BASF,
- CF Industries,
- Dow,
- ExxonMobil,
- ISC,
- Marathon,
- Methanex,
- MMR,
- Orion,
- OxyChem,
- Shell,
- Shintech,
- Turner Industries, and
- Westlake
“Industry Match Day exemplifies what’s possible when education and industry collaborate meaningfully,” said Dr. Donovan Thompson, Dean of Energy Sciences at RPCC. “We’re incredibly proud of our students for stepping into these spaces ready to showcase their skills and eager to grow into the next generation of Louisiana’s workforce.”
Kate Whitehead, RPCC’s Director of Work-Based Learning and Westbank Initiatives, echoed the excitement.
“This event is about more than just hiring—it's about relationship-building,” said Whitehead. “Employers get to see the talent pipeline up close, and our students leave with confidence, clarity, and real-world connections.”
RPCC remains committed to being a regional leader in career-focused education and hands-on training. Industry Match Day reflects the college’s continued investment in student success and economic growth in the River Region.
For more information about RPCC’s energy and industrial programs, visit www.rpcc.edu.