HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Over 1,000 eighth graders from all over Cullman County will participate in the upcoming Career Showcase: Tools of the Trade to be held at Wallace State Community College on Thursday, Nov. 3. The annual event for students to explore future career opportunities is a team effort between Wallace State, the Cullman Economic Development Agency, Cullman County Economic Development and the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
Representatives from area agencies representing a variety of career paths will provide insight and hands-on activities highlighting their respective industries from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Students will begin their day in small groups and work their way through the grounds of Wallace State where the vendors will be set up along their path and in designated buildings throughout the Hanceville campus.
Following the Career Showcase, Wallace State will host an open house from 4-7 p.m. where prospective students will participate with their families and meet with the school’s representatives about career paths and educational opportunities.
To encourage the students to engage with vendors and develop comfort in asking relevant questions, Wallace State’s Center for Career and Workforce Development Director Jamie Blackmon has devised a scavenger hunt. Teachers have been provided the information to give to their students prior to the career fair with questions and tools to develop on-site at the event. After the career fair, students will do a presentation on the information gleaned from the scavenger hunt. The top three presentations will be selected by each school and the winners will be invited back to Wallace State for a luncheon and comprehensive tour of the school with their families. From that pool, the top presentations will be selected, and scholarships will be given.
The Center of Career and Workforce Development works with area students to hone career paths and workplace skills. For older students, the center specializes in employee skills, resume building and how to interview well. It provides support to dual enrollment students as well.
Vendor spots for Tools of the Trade are available. Each vendor is asked to provide a hands-on activity specific to its field. If ideas are needed for activities, contact the Cullman Economic Development Agency office at 256-739-1891. Vendor applications are found at https://tinyurl.com/WSCCToolsoftheTrade.
For questions about the event, contact Sean Ryan at Wallace State’s Center for Career and Workforce Development at 256-352-7874 or sean.ryan@wallacestate.edu.
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