Students enter a world of work and fun

ABOVE: Students practice saving lives at Worlds of Work.
Delivering a baby is one thing. But an eighth-grader making his bed without complaint? As any parent will tell you, that’s impressive.
Worlds of Work from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
It was all in a day’s work at Worlds of Work (WOW) in Tuscaloosa. Held on the campus of Shelton State Community College Oct. 8-9, the event brought busloads of eighth-graders from seven counties face-to-face with their potential futures.
Nine industry sectors — or “worlds” — were on display as students learned what it takes to succeed after school and the rewards in store.
“Truck drivers make a lot more money than I thought!” said Daizah Lavender of Tuscaloosa Magnet School.
“There are a lot of professions that do a lot more than we think they do,” said her classmate Alex Washington.
Purpose is preparation
The event, organized by West Alabama Works, a non-profit created by the Region 3 Workforce Development Council of Alabama, had a clear purpose: to show students the abundant job opportunities available to them and to chart a path toward seizing them.
- All smiles at the ice cream display
- Alabama Power shows off its drones
- TSA agent displays confiscated weapons
- Shaking hands with a patient
- Students arrive at Worlds of Work
- Student volunteers from Shelton State
“Engaging students at this age is so important because it is the start of career exploration for them,” said Mark Crews, Western Division vice president of Alabama Power, a sponsor and exhibitor. “Because of WOW, students have the chance to see what a future career could look like and how they can start preparing now.”
Kids crowded around dozens of exhibits, rapt at seeing how some of their favorite things, like fast cars and ice cream, are created. Robotic arms whirred and darted, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz. ZF Chassis Systems Inc. showed off its high-end axles. And ice cream was made in a flash by liquid nitrogen (“dry ice”) while students eagerly consumed the results.
The most important creation, life, was also represented. In the Healthcare World, students could operate on a dummy patient and bring him back to “life.” “I did that shocking defibrillator thing,” said Bailey Jones of Hillcrest Middle School.
At the Lifeguard station, students were strapped into actual stretchers and carried to safety.
In one of the most popular exhibits, students took turns delivering a baby from a realistic model. Many said it was the day’s most memorable experience.
“The kids are very excited, especially the boys, which kind of surprised me,” said Lindsey Prescott, a nursing student at Bevill State Community College and a WOW volunteer. “They all want to do it, they all want to be the doctor. They’re loving it.”
Students impressed, impressive
The volunteers, including dozens of Shelton State students, were impressed with the children.
“We saw a couple of them shaking everybody’s hands,” said Tori McKinney. “It’s impressive for a middle-schooler to realize that it’s important to build those relationships right now.”
“They were all very well-behaved and just excited to see everything,” said volunteer Alyssa Bracknell.
The exhibitors were equally excited to show the behind-the-scenes work that goes into everyday living, from agriculture to power delivery to oil refinery.

Students participate in a bed-making competition. (John Herr/Alabama NewsCenter)
“The kids are very interested in everything that we have going on,” said Jared Mooney of Hunt Refining Company. “They’re learning there are many different fields of expertise and many different opportunities to make a good life for themselves.”
“Worlds of Work is a win-win,” said Greg Long, distribution manager for Alabama Power’s Western Division. “The students are exposed to a variety of potential career options and we are able to promote our company and what we have to offer in the way of career opportunities. If we are to continue to attract top-level talent, then we’ve got to get our message out and this gives us the opportunity to do that.”
In each “world,” the emphasis was on the practical. Salary ranges were posted next to job listings. Educational needs were conveyed, with many occupations requiring less than a four-year college degree. Exhibitors were chosen for their regional presence and willingness to hire.
But hiring day was far off for the eighth-graders, who were happy just to sample the wide variety of futures they could choose.
Some even participated in a frantic bed-making race, sponsored by Hampton Inns in the Hospitality World.
That’s right. Worlds of Work even made making your bed fun.