Birmingham City Schools students packed Bootwell Auditorium on Thursday, eager to speak to a variety of universities and employers who were also packed.
The Birmingham Promise Scholarship Fair provided Birmingham City Schools students the opportunity to talk about colleges, universities, and career paths in the workforce. Students from area high schools had the opportunity to obtain merchandise and informational brochures from the institutions they spoke to, as well as speak directly with their spokespeople. The fair, which brought together jobs from various colleges, universities and workers from around the world, encouraged students to make choices for their future.
Founded in 2019, Promise connects students across the city with paid work experience and college scholarships.
“We definitely need this type of fair,” Mayor Randall Woodfin said in an interview. “When it comes to exposure and opportunity, unfortunately our children don’t have enough of it like so many other children. “For Birmingham, we partnered with Birmingham City Schools to bring this fair to life.” It makes a lot of sense to host events and allow students to step away from school and actually see representatives, colleges and universities in real time.We also want to go to military departments, career technical education, and career education institutions. We need to do the same for those who don’t.”
Kyler Hameen (left) of Jackson Olin High School plans to become a pediatrician. She told AL.com reporting intern Breonna Atkins (right) that the Birmingham Promise Career Fair, held Oct. 11, inspired her to consider more college and scholarship options. said. (Ruth Serven Smith, AL.com)
Students who already had a career or major in mind consulted colleges that might help them with their career or that focused on their major. Students also had the opportunity to put their feelers out and see if they were interested in another college, university, major, or job. Students were free to imagine themselves entering a particular college, university, or job and making their next decisions for the future.
“The fair was great and I was surprised by the turnout,” Jackson-Olin senior Nakia Dansby said. “This fair helps everyone. Students are interested and have fun talking to colleges and checking out workforce opportunities.”
Dansby said she is interested in becoming a doctor. She said she plans to go to college and met someone at the fair who could help her become a pediatrician.
“This fair helps undecided students think about what they want to do with their future,” said Kyler Hameen, a senior at Jackson-Olin.
Hameen said she plans to attend nursing school and will become a registered nurse within the next five to 10 years.
Birmingham Promise also offers internships and apprenticeships that you can apply for through our website. Students can also learn more about the Birmingham Promise Scholarship here.
Editor’s note: Breonna Atkins is a participant in the Birmingham Promise program. She reported the event to AL.com.
