Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Lowndes County Career Technical Center wrapped up CTE Week Friday, Feb. 28 with the Career Compass expo, an event aimed at guiding students as they embark on their journey of career exploration.

Held at The Calhoun School, the fair-styled event connected 8th through 12th grade students from Central High School, Calhoun, Hayneville Middle School and Lowndes Middle School with potential employers and postsecondary schools for a closer look into the wide range of careers available to them.

Shameka Baker, director for the center, said students from all four schools engaged with presenters, asking questions and collecting information.

“The goal was to expose our eighth graders and give our juniors and seniors the opportunity to come up with ideas or figure out which career pathway they would like to explore when they graduate,” Baker said. “We had military, businesses and law enforcement. Trenholm State Community College came out and they brought out information for linemen and truck drivers. So, it just kind of showed them that there are different options and careers that they can explore when they graduate high school.”

Beth Fair, Lowndes County Extension’s 4-H agent, talked with students and offered them the opportunity to practice practical skills, like tying knots to add hooks to fishing line. Styles Galore handed out false eyelashes to students while highlighting careers in the beauty industry.

One contractor brought the tools of his trade, offering students the opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to repair a home or office. The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department was on hand as well and students were able to try on bulletproof vests and see the weapons officers use while on duty.

“The students were able to go around and speak to different vendors,” Baker said. “They were able to get pamphlets and there were a lot of different careers to explore. They asked about how much salary was paid for a job and how often someone works. They were able to speak to them one on one.”