More than 75 high school seniors recently gathered at Shelton State Community College and all left with post-graduation employment plans.
The annual West Alabama Regional Signing Day, organized by West Alabama Works and held on May 9, celebrated students as they officially signed up for career technical education jobs or internships after high school graduation.
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This year marked the first year the event was held at Shelton State. In previous years, the event was held at the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to showcase our facilities, but also to connect students with jobs or learning opportunities,” said Shelton State President Jonathan Koh.
“A lot of what we do in our own community is trying to develop the workforce and show people that there are many paths,” he said.
The ceremony honored students who officially applied for career technical education jobs or internships after high school graduation.
Employers such as Mercedes Auto Tech Program, Skilled Trades of West Alabama, Lear Corp., Schnellecke Logistics, Mercedes-Benz US International Mechatronics, Premier Service Co.
“You guys are going from high school to a career, that blows my mind,” said Michele Coley, owner of Allstate Coley Agency, who hosted the event.
Coley told the students how amazing it was to land full-time jobs or internships at competitive companies right after high school graduation. Coley shared that when she was in college, it was a little more challenging to get jobs at competitive companies.
“To get along with Phifer, (Hanna Steel), Premier, DCH, you had to know someone, and they had to be in good standing and they had to refer you to get a job at these prestigious institutions,” she said .
Donny Jones, who serves as executive director of West Alabama Works and director of operations for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, previously said the Regional Signing Day event was the culmination of events such as WOW, WOW mini, WOW Varsity and WOW 2.0, which aim to connect students to career opportunities in West Alabama.
“Students going to work are just as important as students going to a four-year institution,” Jones said during Thursday’s ceremony as he thanked the event sponsors and participating companies.
Some of the honorees received job or apprenticeship offers through WOW 2.0, an event for high school seniors held April 10 at Shelton State Community College. The event is a continuation of West Alabama Works’ annual Worlds of Work (WOW) event for eighth graders. The events help West Alabama students learn about job opportunities in the region.
After the ceremony, students and parents were able to meet with representatives from their future employers.
Kavaughn Evans, a senior at Hale County High School, has accepted an internship with Hunt Refining Co. and said he is excited to begin working at the company after graduation.
“I’m looking forward to coming in on my first day, working hard and showing that I’m a good employee,” Evans said.
Many parents and families applauded high school seniors as they signed up for careers and internships.
Evalette Silvers was there supporting her son, Kameron Prince, who accepted an apprenticeship at MBUSI.
“I’m very excited, I can’t wait. He’s excited too and I’m excited for him,” Silvers said.
Students from Tuscaloosa City Schools, the Tuscaloosa County School System, along with students from Greene, Bibb, Hale and Fayette counties, were among those honored one by one as they signed on the dotted line for internships or full-time jobs.
Contact Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: West Alabama high school seniors apply for careers and internships
