All eighth-grade students in Morgan and Lawrence counties got the chance to meet with more than 50 local industries at Endless Opportunities.

The two-day Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce event hosted approximately 3,000 students from all over Morgan and Lawrence counties Oct. 18-19 at Ingalls Harbor.

Enquirer photo/Lauren Jackson

Grant Thompson, director of communications at the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, said the event was created to show students local career options. “The whole idea begins with exposing young people to all the different ideas and opportunities that are out there for their futures,” Thompson said.

Hartselle City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Dee Jones, said 255 Hartselle students were able to attend the event. Jones said the event gives students more information to allow them to choose their career academies at the high school.

“It exposes them to all the jobs in Tennessee Valley and lets them know that it doesn’t always take a four-year degree,” Jones said.

Prior to the event, the students take career interest exams to learn which of the 14 career clusters meets their interests. During the event, the industries were organized into the clusters to allow students to learn about local opportunities. “They can transfer interests into a career that is fulfilling, and at the end of the day, that is what we want,” Thompson said.

Enquirer photo/Lauren Jackson

The event also allows local industries to pursue the future workforce and show students what is available to them in the area. “It’s the idea that you don’t have to go off somewhere. It introduces them to the industries and says, ‘These are right in your backyard,’” Thompson said. “We try to put them on paths, no matter their backgrounds, so they can be great. That is our job – to equip them and expose them to that.”

Enquirer photo/Lauren Jackson

Thompson said more industries join the event each year, and he hopes to continue to be able to grow it. “This event isn’t getting any smaller. The more we engage teachers, administrators, principals and central office from all schools and home schools, the more opportunities to get them excited and engaged in their careers,” Thompson said. “There is a reason we call this Endless Opportunities.”