Some 800 students took the next step toward their futures on Friday as they learned more about careers available in the area.

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The Next Step Covington County Career Expo was held at the Kiwanis Community Center, and students from Andalusia, Florala, Opp, Pleasant Home, Red Level and Straughn took advantage of the hands-on, interactive career exploration led by local career professionals.

Seventy business and industry professionals participated.

Beth Dean, career coach for Covington County Schools, said Friday’s event was a huge success.

“The kids asked questions,” she said. “I asked the students if they saw careers they didn’t realize were here. And they found things they were unaware of.

“The whole reason we did this is we wanted students to know what Covington County has to offer,” she said. “We hope that they will go off and get their education and come back and work here or start a business.”

Dean said vendors reported they had a successful time.

“All of our vendors did a fabulous job,” Dean said. “All their displays were really, really effective.”

Dean said that each school chose which age group to send, and there were sophomores through seniors there.

“We are thankful to those who came,” she said.