Expo showcases career ideas to 8th graders

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Local students had the chance to experience worlds of opportunity.

The massive career expo of that name was held at the Mobile Civic Center on Wednesday and thousands of kids got hands on with dozens of careers. The Fair will continue Thursday.

Over 9,000 students

More than 100 businesses and 9,000 students came together for the "Worlds of Opportunity" job fair. It was a chance for some real hands-on learning about possible careers.

At one booth, a University of South Alabama engineering student demonstrated rocket flight. At another, kids learned about solar power; and at yet another, kids rode a bike to charge up a power supply.

There were twelve areas, each with a different theme. In the communications area, FOX10 Meteorologist Michael White hammed it up, while Anchor Bob Grip did his best Justin Bieber impersonation as he was mobbed by Chastang Middle school students for autographs and pictures.

Other displays took the kids underwater. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Flotilla had a diver in a see-thru tank. While others, like the Alabama Power line display, took them well above ground.

Jason Newby, one of the demonstrators with Alabama Power, said “We’re teaching the kids just the safety of building our lines and how it operates and to give them the opportunity if they want to try it one day."

Kids interested in a trade had a lot to try as well to, perhaps, even build a literal foundation for their future.

Opportunities of all kinds

David Wilson taught masonry.

Watching over students who busily mortared and stacked, Wilson said, “I think that this is one of the greatest things to offer these children, to give them the opportunity to go out and work on the worksites and get a hands-on experience, such as laying brick.”

Of course, every kid loves looking at a hot rod, but at the fair, they had the chance to see how one works. Bishop State Community College teachers and students showed kids the inner workings of engines and transmissions.

Jared Bumpers was one of the demonstrators. Bumpers said, “I love vehicles and cars. For me, it’s more of a passion, but also it’s a trade so you’ll always have a job. It’s a good thing to get into.”