I had the opportunity to attend a training that was held at Mira Costa Community College. This training was conducted by The Technology Career Center, and the main sponsors were Mira Costa and the American Promise Grant. The meeting was conducted by Calandra Crawford who is the head machinist instructor at the education center. My supervisor and I wanted to attend this event because it is a great trade school that is free for students to attend. In the past, the tuition was as much as a 4 year school to attend. The program directors were able to advocate for their program, and work on several grants to give them the opportunity to provide tuition free education.
The first part of the presentation involved learning about what a Machinist does and how it impacts the lives of others. Machinists are in charge of a variety of tasks. These tasks can range from robotics to making the screws that hold furniture together. Machinists make golf clubs, and other sports equipment. Anything that is usually metal, is made first by a machinist. This professional development workshop focused on providing options for students who do not want to go to college, and are interested in learning how everyday metal items are made. The course is 13 weeks and aims to prepare students for immediate entry into the work field. The program is intense but they boast a near 100% hire rate. The presenter Mrs. Crawford shared her own personal story. She went to college, and found that it was not a good fit for her. She joined the Navy in 1992 and while she was serving in the Navy she learned about becoming a machinist. Becoming a Machinist fit for her, and after having a successful career for over 20 years, she has decided to come teach others. She explained that not everyone is cut out for the traditional college experience. This resonated with me, as my college experience was not traditional either. Every student has a different path and skill set, it is good for students to not be so focused on a 4 year school and to explore every option to find their passion.
The second part of the professional development breakout session was to tour the facilities. We were able to see the machinist tools and also witness students making different parts for different products. Mrs. Crawford then showed us to the robotic lab. I really enjoyed this part of the professional development session. We were given a demonstration of the robotic software that Mira Costa uses. The robot was named Betty and could be programed to pick things up and do other simple tasks. All of the students who were working with the robot were so excited that she had learned how to do something new. I was able to see their passion and to see how dedicated they were to developing new software for the robotics that they work with.
During this professional development I learned that not everyone has the same path after high school. All students are not the same, and have different interests. A 4 year college is one path that students can choose from. There are other paths as well, that may be better suited to the students interests or skill sets. I would use this knowledge in advising students when they approach me regarding what career they should pick. I would tell the students that there are more options besides going to a four year college. I would also advise them to take advantage of the career assessments that are provided through Naviance. The appropriate age group to use this with, would be middle and or high school students. Students typically begin to think about college in middle and high school. I would want students to know that this path looks different from student to student. This training taught me that some students can gain a profitable career without going to a four year institution. Students have been going to community college, the military or vocational schools for many years. I will be able to measure the effectiveness by asking students if this approach was helpful to them. Students may want to know about other career options, especially if they are not on track to meet the requirements for entering a 4 year university. Overall, I will use my added knowledge to help benefit all the students on my caseload when I am a school counselor. I have learned a great deal and plan to use it in my professional practice.
During this professional development I learned that not everyone has the same path after high school. All students are not the same, and have different interests. A 4 year college is one path that students can choose from. There are other paths as well, that may be better suited to the students interests or skill sets. I would use this knowledge in advising students when they approach me regarding what career they should pick. I would tell the students that there are more options besides going to a four year college. I would also advise them to take advantage of the career assessments that are provided through Naviance. The appropriate age group to use this with, would be middle and or high school students. Students typically begin to think about college in middle and high school. I would want students to know that this path looks different from student to student. This training taught me that some students can gain a profitable career without going to a four year institution. Students have been going to community college, the military or vocational schools for many years. I will be able to measure the effectiveness by asking students if this approach was helpful to them. Students may want to know about other career options, especially if they are not on track to meet the requirements for entering a 4 year university. Overall, I will use my added knowledge to help benefit all the students on my caseload when I am a school counselor. I have learned a great deal and plan to use it in my professional practice.
Christina Waters
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