POWERGRAMS

4 Eighth-graders from five east Alabama counties performed CPR on dummies, extracted DNA from strawberries and wrapped wire around an electric transmission line as part of a new initiative to inspire them about potential careers. The East Alabama Workforce Investment Network's first Career Discovery Expo at Auburn University inspired about 4,000 students at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. They learned about careers in agriculture, architecture, communications, education, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, public service, transportation and the energy industry. The students from Bullock, Chambers, Lee, Macon and Russell counties visited with representatives from more than 100 regional industries and businesses. Many of the exhibits were hands-on and interactive. Alabama Power Engineer Dustin Ott visited with students at an exhibit he built for a similar event in Mobile. The exhibit allows students to get a close look at an electric transmission structure. "Kids enjoy hearing about what it takes to deliver electricity to end-users," said Ott, one of 400 volunteers. "We give them a chance to wrap the dummy transmission line with armor wire before putting on the conductor clamps. We have them put on rubber gloves and we tell them about our culture of safety and what it takes to work for our company." Ott said one of the main questions students have is how much jobs will pay. "We are open with them and give them an idea of salary range and the different levels of job classes," Ott said. "You can tell when a student is really interested in our business, and we want to give him or her all the information we can." Linking careers to the classroom is the primary goal of the event, said Valley/Langdale Office Manager Sheri Gaddy. "We had an opportunity today to meet our future workforce," she said. "These students are on the brink of making decisions about their high school path," Gaddy said. "We are hoping to expose them to various careers that are available in our area, to help them choose their education path … to help them begin thinking about possible career choices and to make it as active as possible." Gaddy said organizers are hoping the expo will be annual. "This event has been a tremendous success," she said. "We hope it will make a difference in the lives of these students and the future of our area." By Linda Brannon Employees encourage students during Career Discovery Expo 100% CONNECTED Volunteers showed students how to be safe around electricity. About 4,000 students saw the Alabama Power exhibit that included an electric vehicle. Photos by Linda Brannon

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