Students explore careers at MCCTC

By EARTHA TERRELL

eterrell@vindy.com

Students got a sneak peek at their future careers during the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center’s annual summer camp June 15.

Middle school students from Mahoning County schools spent three days getting an up-close and personal experience with several different career choices.

“This is a good age for kids to do career exploration, finding out their likes and dislikes whether it’s for vocation or advocation. We really want them to also make sure that they have the right math and science courses,” said MCCTC Career Development Supervisor Jacqueline Kuffel.

Students learned specific skills they would need if they chose to work in a field. In cosmetology, students learned how to give facials, and specific braiding techniques, such as, waterfall braids. Seventh-grader Allison Leon, who aspires to be a hair stylist, was thrilled to be able to broaden her knowledge,

“It kind of gives you a wider variety of what you can do,” Leon said.

In engineering, students were shocked when they learned how to manipulate salt water to extract their own DNA. Students also built robots.

“I liked the class because we built a lot of stuff. We built things on motherboards,” said Trevor Hykos, from Austintown.

The camp also provided learning for parents. While students were in each class, parents participated in MCCTC’s Culinary Arts course for adults.