More than 1,800 tenth-grade students from schools across Shelby County learned about a variety of career options by attending Connect 2 Careers, hands-on career fair sponsored by the Shelby County Chamber.

According to Pari Barzegari, Manager of Community and Career Development for the Shelby County Chamber, the purpose of the two-day event held September 11-12 was to share local careers with students, better informing them about the intricacies of each career available to them in Shelby County. Through the career expo, students learned about a broad range of high-demand, high-wage, career opportunities in job fields such as engineering, public service, banking and finance, healthcare, construction, and more.

“We are truly connecting careers to our students with this interactive approach,” said Barzegari. “A leading purpose of this expo was to create awareness about exciting career opportunities for students and educators while addressing workforce needs in the region.”

“We appreciate The Shelby County Chamber’s efforts in putting on the Connect 2 Careers Expo and for all the industry participation and volunteer involvement,” said July Godfrey, Career and Technical Education Supervisor. “It’s so important for high school students to be exposed to all of these diverse, competitive and often high-paying career opportunities.”

Godfrey said the students seemed excited about the event and when asked quickly shared some of the things they learned.

“It feels good to know we are helping them to make connections, be exposed to new career paths and meet with potential employers,” she added.  

Companies that participated in the event included: Specification Rubber, Shelby Baptist, Pelham Fire, Pelham Police, Shelby County Sherriff’s Department, Alabaster Police, Calera Police, Compact 2020, Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force, Alabama State Troopers, America’s First Federal Credit Union eCo Credit Union, Wright Bros Construction, Legacy Credit Union, AIDT -Mobile Robotics Training Lab, Sysco Central Alabama, Vision First Eye Care, Air Methods Corporation, Shelby Family Eye Care, Jefferson State Community College Nursing, Go Build Alabama/Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute, Chick-Fil-A Greystone, First US Bank, Southeast Shelby Rescue, Thompson Tractor, Serve Pro, Alabama Power, Vulcan Material, Hibbett, BBH Neurology, Greystone Chiropractic, Airforce Recruiting, Brookwood Baptist Health Neonatal, St. Vincent’s, Aletheia House, Alabama Army National Guard, Regional Paramedics Services, Alabama Department of Transportation.