An upcoming career fair hopes to show students all the career possibilities available to them in the Queen City.

The Central Alabama Gateways to Opportunity career fair will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. on Wallace Community College Selma’s campus. Region 6 Workforce Development and Selma Dallas EDA will host the fair. Over 500 students in grades 8-12 will gain hands-on experience from different career professionals.

Wallace Community College Selma Business and Industry Specialist Felecia Pettway said she hopes participants will recognize what Selma has to offer in terms of professions.

“We also hope we will educate our students on the career and academic paths they will need to take, as well as the economic possibilities,” she said.

Representatives from Go Build Alabama, Wal-Mart, Regions and local radio stations will be in attendance at the event. Wallace Community College Selma’s welding, drafting and cosmetology programs, along with other organizations will be on hand to inform students about career opportunities.

Unlike some career fairs, Pettway said there will be hands-on activities for students to garner interests from their particular career endeavors. Virtual simulators will also be used to produce demonstrations for students.

“Normally with a career fair, you’re going from table to table,” Pettway said. “We’re doing hands-on demonstrations.”

Pettway said it’s important to plant the importance of career development in the minds of students.

“It’s important the youth start at an early age trying to decide on careers they want to be involved in,” she said.

Vaughan Regional Medical Center, Trustmark Bank, Region Bank, Pioneer Electric, Surge Staffing, Bush Hog, Pallet One Inc., and Coca-Cola are sponsoring the fair. For more information, contact Pettway at Felecia.pettway@wccs.edu or 876-9379.