DECATUR, Ala — It's already stressful enough being a teenager, add being a high school senior on top of that... who has no idea what they want to do with the rest of their life.
Luckily, Calhoun Community College is hosting a Career and Workforce Expo in partnership with The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, presented by Jackson Plumbing Heating and Cooling to give students the opportunity to figure out just that.
Although many of the students that attended today's expo don't know just what they would like to do yet, one young lady does...
"I want to be a nurse!" said Abigail C., local 11th grader. She already has questions lined up for her potential future employer. "Like if they have any regrets on trying to do it, and personally what they love about it and what's the right things to do, to go into nursing school and what I should do."
Calhoun's Nursing Program Director, Lynn Hogan, answers some of those questions - and not just for Abigail but for anyone who's looking to become a nurse, her advice:
"I tell them to work hard and make good grades. I tell them to apply for scholarships because there's lots of money for nursing scholarships and, so I, don't want any student to leave here thinking they can't afford to come to college," said Hogan.
Not only does this expo benefit those who attend but it also benefits - in the long run, local businesses and cities overall.
"Really, this is the next opportunity for kids entering the job market to actually come on board with a great career. Not just a job... but a career," said Hiring Program Director, Jamie Hall with Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A.
"I mean, the City [of Decatur] is growing. We need more people to protect people, so obviously more is better," said Officer Jonathan Bates with Decatur City Police.
Many employers at the expo were looking for a variety of people and skills.
"We currently have one active female firefighter there in the City of Decatur, Lieutenant Emily Tapscott, she's actually a paramedic as well. So, you know she's just a great example and we need more women in the service, we surely do. They provide a sense of comfort that sometimes we can't," said Brandon Sivley, PIO with Decatur Fire and Rescue.
"We look at all the communities that are close. These are our neighbors. These are our friends. These are our family members that we're trying to recruit and they all have a chance here at Mazda Toyota," said Hall.