Brewer High School and Morgan County Mech Tech hosted the first annual career expo today. The expo welcomed approximately 1,200 students from around the Morgan County School system and connected them with local industries and colleges.

Mech Tech is an organization based at Brewer High School that allows Morgan County students to compete in robotics and encourages the growth of sciences in the schools. Tanya Andrews works with NASA and is one of the mentors of the program. She said they decided to host the expo as a way to expose students to local opportunities. “We thought it would be a good event for kids to understand all the local jobs in the area,” Andrews said.

Annika Hollinghead and Amy-Taylor Hayes helped vendors and students during the expo.

The expo welcomed over 40 tables filled with local colleges and industries. Andrews said it was a great way for students to be able to speak with the industries and colleges personally. “Kids get an idea of what employers are looking for in the area,” Andrews said.

Brenda Antonio is a student involved in Mech Tech, and said the event helps to bring exposure to what the organization does while also helping local students. “This is also about the students. There are different careers that you don’t even think about and you get to individually talk to them,” Antonio said.

Enquirer photo/Lauren Jackson
Meredith Sides, Madison Adams and Tallon Hamilton enjoy the opportunity to speak with local colleges and industries.

In addition, the expo allowed Mech Tech students to spread awareness of their organization with local students and industries. “I am a senior and I did not know it existed until this year. We do welding and use 3D printers. Our mentors don’t just take charge, they let us do what we need to do. All that we are doing, the teamwork and leadership, is building skills to get a job,” Antonio said.

All seniors and juniors in the Morgan County School system visited the expo, and Brewer High School freshmen and sophomores also attended to the expo. “We hope it can become an annual event, and to bring in other schools next year,” Andrews said.