OVER 350 LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ATTEND SOPHOMORE CAREER DAY AT MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

(GARDNER) — Participating in career exploration workshops, "mock trials," and hearing from guest speakers will be some of the activities offered during Sophomore Career Day. Over 350 high school sophomores from ten local high schools will participate in the event at Mount Wachusett Community College, Wed., Mar. 20 from 9 a.m. — 1 p.m.

"Students will be involved in hands-on activities designed to educate them about the training required for a chosen career path," said Sharon Smiledge, director of specialized recruitment. "College faculty, field professionals and college students will present information on employment and careers."

In addition to career exploration workshops, Sophomore Career Day will feature "mock trials" by Assistant District Attorneys Mike Salloum, Mike McHugh, and Julie Mahoney from 9:30 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. in the college’s theatre. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a mock prosecution, orienting them to professions within the criminal justice system.

Guest presenters Antonio Ledesma Bajana and Dean Baily from LUK Crisis Center, Inc., will provide an interactive workshop on human services careers and violence prevention from 10:40 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and then again from 11:50 a.m. to 12:55 a.m.

The following schools will be participating in Sophomore Career Day:

• Ayer High School
• Athol High School
• Fitchburg High School
• Gardner High School
• Leominster High School
• Lunenburg High School
• Murdock High School
• Narragansett Regional High School
• North Middlesex High School
• Oakmont Regional High School

Students will be attending hands-on workshops in the following careers:

• American Sign Language
• Automotive Technology
• Broadcasting & Telecommunications
• Business
• Business Software Systems
• Careers in Fitness
• Complementary Health Care/Massage Therapy
• Computer Graphic Design
• Computer & Electronic Technology
• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education
• Human Services
• Medical Assisting
• Natural Resources Technology
• Nursing
• Paralegal
• Technical Education

Participating students are involved in the Tech Prep program in which MWCC and area high schools coordinate to provide technical and occupational education during the last two years of high school. Through Tech Prep, high school students can enroll in courses at their high school and receive advanced placement or college credit. Students participating in Tech Prep take: applied English, applied mathematics, principles of technology, and career courses.

"Each school decides which career programs to offer their students," said Jane Carney, associate dean of business and social sciences. "MWCC’s faculty then works collaboratively with the high school faculty to develop the curriculum. Students receive a very focused learning experience through the program."