Oxford, AL – Thousands of students from across East Alabama explored potential career paths during the annual Worlds of Work (WOW) event, presented by Eastman, held March 10–12, 2026, at the Oxford Civic Center.
Worlds of Work is an immersive, hands-on career exploration event hosted by Gadsden State Community College. The program is designed to introduce students to a wide range of career opportunities available throughout the region. Approximately 8,000 students from Workforce Region 2 attended the three-day event, representing schools in Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Randolph and Talladega counties.
The event welcomed 8th-grade and 11th-grade students from public, private and homeschool programs, offering them the chance to interact with industry professionals and participate in real-world demonstrations of careers in high-demand fields.
Through interactive exhibits and demonstrations led by industry partners, students explored 11 career-focused areas aligned with regional workforce needs. These included agriculture and outdoor resources; automotive and modern manufacturing; business and entrepreneurship; communications, media and marketing; construction; education and training; energy and utilities; engineering and technology; healthcare; public safety; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
“Worlds of Work gives students the opportunity to step into real career environments and experience firsthand the skills and opportunities that exist right here in East Alabama,” said Lisa Morales, Community and Workforce Liaison at Gadsden State Community College and event director for Worlds of Work. “By connecting students with local employers and industry professionals, we help them begin thinking about their future and see the many pathways available after high school.”
Participants were also introduced to educational, training and credential opportunities that can help them pursue careers within their own communities. Organizers say the event encourages students to remain engaged in school while beginning to plan their future career goals.
Worlds of Work is a collaborative regional initiative that brings together educators, employers and workforce leaders to strengthen connections between education and industry across East Alabama. More than 8,000 students from seven counties were expected to attend the event during its three-day run.
During a gathering of more than 30 event sponsors on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Gadsden State Community College Dean of Students Andy Green noted the program’s significant growth since it began.
“This year, we have more than 100 companies and organizations participating, all who have invested their time and energy to give these students the opportunity for hands-on experience with the 134 career pathways on display,” Green said. “These are providing these students a real sense of what these careers look like in the real world.”
Oxford Mayor Alton Craft also addressed attendees and emphasized the role workforce development plays in regional economic growth.
“World of Works means so much to our area,” Craft said. “It is the thing that has driven economic development in our area. You can have everything else, but if you don’t have the workforce, the businesses aren’t coming. When we go to New York about bond issues, our workforce development is what causes our bond ratings to continue to rise.”
Gadsden State President Alan Smith served as the morning’s keynote speaker and shared how career technical education influenced his own career path.
“I began my journey in the sixth grade, back in the early 80s, as a career tech person,” Smith said. “I was in the industrial arts program, and I loved it. I wanted to know how to build things and work on things. As I entered my high school years, I gravitated towards technical opportunities and career technical student organizations. I would not be standing before you here today without that opportunity to display not only leadership, but also the technical skills I learned. I am a product of career technical education.”
Organizers say the event continues to play an important role in East Alabama’s workforce development efforts by exposing students to careers available in the region while building stronger partnerships between schools, employers and community leaders.
