CHICO, Calif. -- Around 150 students from across the Northstate attended Chico State's Concrete Day, an event aimed at providing insight into the world of education and career opportunities within the concrete industry.

Students from various Northstate schools explored Chico State's Concrete Industry Management (CMI) lab, engaging in activities such as cement mixing and testing.

Chico State organizes Concrete Day once every semester, providing an opportunity for current students to exchange insights and knowledge about the various advantages and opportunities within the concrete industry with high school and transfer students.

"There's so much job security and you really learn so much from it. I really think it's good to get younger people into our program and let them know that we're here and it's such a great program," said Luis Bautista, a third-year CIM student at Chico State.

Chico State proudly reports that its program boasts a remarkable 100% job placement rate, with graduates securing a competitive starting salary of $80,000. The program is one of the best in the country in terms of return on investment.

For high school and transfer students, the event provides a glimpse into the world of concrete and information on the industry's security.

"To get hands-on experience is telling me what I'm going to be doing if this is what I choose as a career for the rest of my life. It's not only the interest of working with your hands every day, but it's also interesting as in they have a lot of benefits, they promise a very high likelihood of getting hired outside of college, they promise a lot of scholarships," said London Blindbury, a senior at Pleasant Valley High School.

Concrete, a widely utilized construction material worldwide, plays a pivotal role in the construction industry. Officials at Chico State are aiming to pique students' interest in the program by organizing this event each semester.

"There's always going to be jobs in concrete, people are always going to need this," Bautista concluded.