Amiyah McKee’s planned career path was toward veterinary medicine. However, when she visited Wallace College in Dothan, she took the path, perhaps less traveled, toward forensic investigation.

McKee admitted, with a smile, that the ID Cable channel has spurred her interest in forensic investigation.

“But I didn’t know that Wallace has a two-year degree program in forensic investigation.” McKee said. “There are a lot of different opportunities that we probably don’t know about.”

And, “probably not knowing” was a main reason for Goshen High School’s Career Fair on Friday.

Gina Maxwell, career coach, said a career fair is an opportunity for students to explore career opportunities and, therefore, make more informed career choices.

“We invited local businesses and colleges to come and shared their programs with the GHS students,” Maxwell said. “Some students already have an idea what career they might like but others have no idea.”

Maxwell said a career fair is of benefit to students who are on a career path as well as those who have given little thought to their post-secondary plans.

“Some students have career plans. Some students often change their minds about what they want to do once they graduate high school and others have no plans,” she said. “No matter what the plans, a career fair exposes high school students to opportunities in different areas and, hopefully, they will begin thinking about their options.”

The 11^th grade students at GHS will be the first to graduate with the benefits of the Gear Up Alabama program.

“These students will have the opportunity to attend any two-year college programs in the state at no cost and that is tremendous incentive to continue their educations beyond high school,” said Elizabeth Sigers, site facilitator. “The Goshen High School Career Fair gives students a chance to learn more about the two-year programs and the many options that are available to them with associate degrees. Career Fairs open students’ eyes to opportunities for better jobs at better pay.”

Rico Harris comes from a family of auto mechanics. He is interested in mechanics but he does not want to work on vehicles.

Brandi Sandro, GHS social science teacher, encouraged Harris to visit the Enterprise State Community College booth and inquire about the Alabama Aviation College/Ozark Campus.

“This could be an option for Rico because he is interested in mechanics, but not auto mechanics. The aviation college would prepare him for a good paying job in a related field.”

Teachers offered guidance to students through the Career Fair but most students chose to look, listen and learn about opportunities that would pave the way to success in the career of their choosing.