'Career Day' Opens Doors of Exploration for Curious Teens

More than 900 high schoolers, hailing from 28 school districts, spent Thursday on campus for the College Transitions Office’s Career Day. Faculty and students from all six of the college’s academic schools and all three campuses spent their Fall Break day off providing close to 50 career-exploration sessions for the visitors, exposing them to dozens of the college’s “degrees that work” offerings. A few of the districts traveled as much as two hours to attend. Among the highlights was a half-day session by the Penn College accounting, finance and business administration departments and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants that featured not only information about Penn College’s technology-laden degrees, but talks by guest speakers Michael Colgan, CEO of PICPA, and Joseph Siebert, president of PICPA, about future work in these fields as firms must protect clients’ financial information, and accountants can aid investigations via “forensic accounting.” Following the presentations and a Q&A with a panel of Penn College accounting and finance students, the 200 high school participants attended an etiquette lunch in the Field House.

– Photos by Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor

 

Kenneth E. Welker Jr., instructor of HVAC technology, enlists the help of Ryan P. Kerstetter, a heating, ventilation & air conditioning design technology student from Richfield, in demonstrating pipe-threading while leading a session in “Toiletology-Call the Plumber: Everybody goes, but how much do you know?”

Michaeleen G. McNamara, assistant professor of human services/social services-psychology, and applied human services student Hannah M. Strosser, of Williamsport, lead visitors in a competition-style learning experience.

Mark A. Rice, instructor of electronics (at desk), leads high-schoolers in a session titled “Virtual Instruments and Graphical Programming,” while Bill C. West (far right), assistant professor of electronics, circulates to help keep participants on track.

Students from Central Columbia High School test how tall they can build a K’nex structure as part of a morninglong session that introduces the field of industrial design. They reached 44 inches.

Manufacturing engineering technology student Logan B. Goodhart, of Chambersburg, talks with high school visitors about the process for students to build a successful Baja vehicle in a session titled “Discover Computer Aided Manufacturing.”

Automated manufacturing technology student Aren T. Way (right) of Jersey Shore, demonstrates an industrial-scale robot during a session on “Industrial Robotics, Hydraulics and Pneumatics, and CNC Machine Tools.”

Aaron E. Biddle, instructor of welding, talks about high-tech welding with a high school group in the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center.

Civil engineering technology student Matthew R. Buck (left), of Danville, leads students from Sullivan County High School in setting up a level during a session on surveying and civil engineering.

In the Physician Assistant Center, Penn College student Dylan C. Griffin and his classmates have hands-on props to test high-schoolers’ anatomy knowledge and teach them about the role of PAs in health care.

Kyle M. Landis, a student in business administration: banking and finance concentration, answers a high school student’s question about his internship experience. Landis, of Troy, was part of a three-member panel that also included Cassandra D. Henderson (left) of Hazel Hurst, who is also studying business administration: banking and finance, and Joshua D. Lyman, of Williamsport, who earned two associate degrees – in accounting and legal assistant paralegal – in May.

In Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, one of the learning labs for students in Penn College’s hospitality majors, Chef Paul E. Mach, assistant professor of hospitality management/culinary arts, guides students in a hands-on demonstration for their classmates.

Lisa M. Andrus, special assistant to the dean of business and hospitality, guides students through the many considerations of planning an event as she introduces them to the business administration: sport and event management concentration.

Chet M. Beaver, whose most recent Penn College credential is a certificate in applied innovation leadership, leads a group to think creatively in the college’s innovation lab. The session was titled “Innovation Engineering: Creating the Future.” Beaver is also a financial aid specialist concentrating in veteran’s services at Penn College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in technology management.

A girl from North Penn-Mansfield High School enlists the help of her neighbor as she tries to cut celery and add peanut butter to crackers while wearing goggles that simulate a vision impairment and keeping her dominant hand behind her back. In the occupational therapy assistant program, such exercises help students to develop empathy for the clients they will serve.

In the Parkes Automotive Technology Center, Christopher H. Van Stavoren, assistant professor of automotive technology, demonstrates the importance of anti-lock braking systems.

Visitors to a business and accounting session learn dining tips that will come in handy during business lunches.

Dental hygiene student Michayla J. Roberts, of Newville, chats with visitors about oral health care – including what amount of toothpaste really is necessary.

Alicia McNett, instructor of computer information technology, guides a high school student as he programs an Ozobot.

After scrubbing up and gowning, visitors try their hands at laparoscopy in the surgical technology facilities.