High School seniors learn about Mobile-area opportunities at Career Fair

About 80 vendors representing local business and industry, colleges, workforce training programs and military branches were at The Grounds on Wednesday, April 3, to share the opportunities available in the Mobile area with high school seniors at the MCPSS Career Fair. 

"There's a little something here for all kids today," said Dr. William White, MCPSS Executive Director of Career & Technical Education and Workforce Development. "It's essential for these kids to know what opportunities are available to them as they enter this next chapter in their lives." 

Industries represented included construction, steelmaking, maritime, aerospace, utilities, hospitality and more. The Fair was co-sponsored by the MCPSS Career & Technical Education, the Mobile Chamber’s Economic Development team, the Southwest Alabama Workforce Development Council (SAWDC) and the Mobile Area Education Foundation.

"We feel like our role is to help bring industry to the table," said David Rodgers, Vice President of Economic Development at the Mobile Chamber. "We are only successful in economic development by having people fill the jobs we create. We need to reach every single student and make sure that, whether they go on to further their education or go right into the workforce, they know about the opportunities right here in their community."

An estimated 3,500 students from MCPSS and other county systems attended the event, which lasted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and was opened to the public for the final two hours. 

"I'm looking for different internship opportunities and also just to broaden my horizons on different things that I want to do after school," said Mary G. Montgomery senior Brooke Dawkins, who plans to attend the University of South Alabama in the fall and major in communications. "I'm definitely getting some more opportunities that I didn't think of before."