Students at Robert Brown Middle School in Greene County stepped out of the classroom and onto the football field Tuesday for a hands-on career exploration event designed to address a challenge many rural communities face: limited access to job exposure and career pathways.
The school hosted its Career on Wheels event, bringing professionals from across Alabama—engineers, first responders, transportation workers, and more—directly to students who may not encounter these opportunities in everyday life. Engines hummed and lights flashed as students crowded around everything from school buses to airboats, getting a close-up look at the tools and vehicles behind dozens of careers.
Calvin Culliver, assistant county engineer in Greene County, said events like these are critical for students who don’t always see a wide range of career options around them.
“My career is engineering—STEM programs, science, technology, engineering and math,” Culliver explained. “It’s very essential for students to see this type of thing and get this opportunity, because without the vision, you don’t have the dream.”
Students moved station to station, talking directly with the workers behind the wheel. For many, the experience comes at a key moment.
“Being able to learn about different careers is pretty important in this grade,” said 8th grader Lanaria Peebles. “In 7th and 8th grade, I think it’s very important to know what you would like to do before you get to high school.”
In communities like Greene County—one of Alabama’s more rural and economically challenged regions—access to career exploration programs often lags behind larger districts. Educators say that lack of exposure can limit students’ awareness of career paths available after graduation.
Peebles said the event helped solidify her own dreams. “I’ve always said that I wanted to become a respiratory therapist. It’s like a nurse that works on breathing and your respiratory system. I really feel like that’s pretty interesting to me.”
Organizers say they hope these hands-on experiences broaden students’ understanding of what’s possible and help them chart clearer paths toward future careers. Many students left with new ideas, new interests, and in some cases, new dreams sparked by a simple set of wheels.
Career on Wheels is part of Greene County’s broader push to expand college and career readiness programs across the district in partnership with the county’s career center.