Endless Opportunities Sparks Career Exploration for Local Students

The 2024 Endless Opportunities hands-on career expo was a huge success, attracting more than 1,600 eighth graders to Ingalls Harbor Pavilion on October 17-18. The event brought together students from Decatur, Morgan County, Hartselle, Lawrence County, and private schools, to explore a wide range of career options.

Hosted by the Chamber in collaboration with our partners the Morgan County Economic Development Association and the North Alabama Builders & Contractors Association, the expo featured more than 50 companies and industries. Additionally, representatives from Calhoun Community College, the Alabama Robotics Technology Park, and Go Build Alabama showcased their fields. The immersive experiences were designed to highlight local career paths and inspire our future workforce with firsthand insights into a variety of professions.

Engaging, educational activities were a highlight of the event. Students participated in a drunk driving simulation with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, learning about the dangers of impaired driving. At the Cooks Pest Control booth, students learned about Madagascar hissing cockroaches and had the opportunity to hold one. The 3M booth remained a highlight, drawing students in with the unique "dragons' breath" effect and frozen marshmallows, both created using liquid nitrogen.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor 3M, golden ticket sponsor Early Services, Inc. and gold sponsors Cook Museum of Natural Science and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A., Inc. The success of the 2024 Endless Opportunities career expo reinforces our dedication to preparing and empowering the next generation of professionals. We look forward to continuing this tradition, bridging the gap between education and career opportunities for our community's youth.