High school students gather for the 'not your average college & career fair'

by Paula Anderson

On March 21, 2025, high school students from Wooddale, Central, Sheffield, Ridgeway and the Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps., gathered at the Hickory Ridge Mall for the “Not Your Average College & Career Fair.” An initiative designed to give students more career choices

that are not traditional.

Ralph Thomas, Jr. organizer said, “As a former teacher, students were not engaged at traditional career fairs.”

Students are interested in technology and non-traditional jobs such as cosmetology, real estate and construction, according to Thomas.

"Approximately 300 students attended the career fair," he said.

Thomas is the founder of Always Motivating Myself Positively Daily (AMMPD), Inc.

According to the website, the organization's mission is 'to empower the youth to own their learning and success through leadership development, mentoring, developing social emotional awareness, and fostering a growth mindset.'

Ralph Thomas, Jr. Organizer/Photo Credit: Paula Anderson

Several vendor tables were set-up through the mall with resources from various organizations such as the Alliance Healthcare Services and the Memphis Office of Youth Services.

Business owners from Fluff Beauty, Smooth Like Jas, and Daisha Laid were set-up to display products. Real estate and construction companies included Harvest River Partners, and Top Realty.

Thomas plans to host the event again in the fall to reach more students. Photos from a few vendors are captured in the slideshow below.