Area students learn about potential careers
Published 1:25 pm Saturday, March 31, 2012
Hands-on demonstrations gave area students a glimpse Friday into what they can learn right here at home.
Busloads of students from Escambia County, Flomaton and W.S. Neal high schools were on hand for a career day at Jefferson Davis Community College’s Atmore campus. The day featured instructors speaking on different programs JDCC offers, as well as officials with different businesses handing out information.
The priority of the event was to inform students of the area what their local college is able to present them in regards to education following high school, said JDCC’s Mary Beth Lancaster.
“We offer vocational and technical programs, so we wanted students to be aware that we have programs right here at home for them,” she said. “A lot of them are interested in these career areas and we wanted them to see what we have to offer. We decided to hold this program to give them a chance to speak to different vendors and officials with businesses to learn about different careers.”
During the event, students were placed into different groups and sent around the campus to learn about the different programs.
In the nursing lab, instructor Ann Lambert displayed the simulators that the nursing students use to prepare themselves for real situations.
Similar simulators and lectures were given at the other areas to show off each course, Lancaster said.
“We held demonstrations to give them an idea about what it’s like to take part in our welding, air conditioning, auto body with drafting and design and nursing programs,” she said. “We also set up areas in business and financial aid that they can get information about anything they might need in the future.”
One benefit of the day was to present a cost-efficient education option to the students, Lancaster said. “College costs are rising, so we want them to know that we have something locally that is affordable where they can become successful in a career they choose,” she said.