ALABASTER – First graders at Creek View Elementary School got a glimpse at career options in the community during the Careers on Wheels event on the morning of Friday, April 13.

During the event, students were able to talk to representatives from the Alabaster Police and Fire Departments, Alabama Power, Regional Paramedical Services and the Alabaster branch of the United States Postal Service, as well as explore the vehicles they use to do their jobs.

“We got our community partners who drive cars for their job out here so (the students) can learn about what they do,” said Alabaster City Schools Career Coach Katie Cardwell. “It’s a very hands-on learning experience. This gets them outside of the classroom and seeing things up front.”

Cardwell said CVES is the first ACS school to have a Careers on Wheels event, and she initially got the idea from a career development conference she attended.

“I thought it would be a really cool activity to bring to the schools,” Cardwell said.

Counselor Rebekah Hughey said all of the other grade levels at CVES had some sort of career readiness activity plan when the idea was first presented.

“Our goal is for each grade level to have a career day opportunity,” Hughey said. “The other grade levels already had something in place, so Careers on Wheels was a perfect fit for the first grade.”

First grader Blakeley McCoy said her favorite part of Careers on Wheels was exploring the Alabama Power truck.

“I like the power one because my dad works for the power company,” Blakeley said.

She also said she enjoyed watching how the cherry picker lift that was attached to the truck was able to lift the driver in the air.

First grader Eli Ogles said he enjoyed learning about the different vehicles, and his favorite one was the police car.

Cardwell said organizing Careers on Wheels was a collaborative effort between school staff and several members of the community.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity for students to learn about our community helpers,” Cardwell said. “We appreciate everyone who worked hard to put this together.”

To see more from CVES’s Careers on Wheels event, visit Shelbycountyphotos.com.