City College and high school students had the chance to learn about technological and vocational career opportunities at City College during the first technology open house April 19.
“It’s a chance for students to find out about new careers,” said Occupational Programs Specialist Jessica P..
She said the open house offered students a visual, in-depth perspective into certain career paths they can follow at City College.
It was held at Friendship Plaza on East Campus and featured eight programs offered at City College.
“Eventually we want the event to expand to include all the occupational programs,” said Jessica P., who organized the open house.
“We’d also like to find larger venues for the event.”
Many of the booths had displays set up for students to see some of the plants, machines, or gear that are associated with vocational and technical careers.
A mannequin dressed in full scuba gear was on display for the Marine Diving Technology booth. Other disciplines represented include Automotive Technologies, Computer Network Engineering & Electronics, Drafting/CAD and Interior Design, the Construction Academy, Environmental Horticulture, the School of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management; and, Cosmetology.
Martin Garibay, a student who was one of the presenters of the Drafting/CAD and Interior Design department, said that he had been working for 18 years in the construction field. He added he is now taking the opportunity to get a carpenter’s license.
“My friend who is also a carpenter told me about this program,” Garibay said.
He added the open house is a great idea and students are really using this opportunity to ask questions about the program.
“Many students come up to me and ask me how much reading is required, what is the required level of English I need and what kind of job they can get,” said Joseph Connell, Sr., professor in the Drafting/CAD department.
The open house attracted many students coming and going to class as well as high school groups arriving for field trips.
Students taking English as a Second Language were also in attendance because they were assigned to fill out survey papers they received in class.
Elizabeth Rios, an ESL student, said she has not decided what kind of career she wants, and the open house really helped her to get insight.
David Aparicio-Navaretre, also an ESL student, works as a dishwasher at a local restaurant and joked that he misses a Chippendale’s course booth.
Aparicio-Nacaretre said he is still undecided about his career. He added he uses the open house as a good opportunity to get more information about potentional jobs he has never heard of.
“I didn’t know about the diving thing,” said Aparicio-Nacaretre.
Palyo said that she is very happy so far about the outcome and hopes that this open house will expand.
“Some of our programs have a lot of visibility and not everyone knows about it,” she added.
-This report was contributed to by Russell Johnson, a Journalism 101 student