GHENT, WV (WOAY) – New River Community and Technical College hosted more than 500 Mercer County eighth-graders at its Advanced Technology Center for a Spooktacular Career Expo.
It provided students with hands-on experiences in welding, HVAC, culinary, cosmetology and more.
“I think it’s very cool and a great opportunity for us,” said eighth-grader and aspiring pilot Owen Riggs, who dove right in with mechanics. “I took all the bolts out and then the tires and replaced them.”
Eighth graders don’t always have an idea yet what they want to do with their futures. Mercer County Schools connects the students with some college courses (where they’ll need to have an associate’s degree), as well as trades.
“Our students are pushed towards college. We try to go with the three E’s (ENROLL in a college, ENLIST in the military, or gain some kind of certificate for EMPLOYMENT). It’s enroll, enlist, employ,” Mercer County Schools GEAR UP SWV coordinator Gail Webb said, adding that GEAR UP follows them for a year after they graduate.
According to Program Instructor Debbie Rogers, massage therapy is usually a second or third career but has grown to more of a first job choice.
“Putting in two semesters the return is good. I tell them once they finish the program, they can work for chiropractors and in spas — you can work for yourself,” Rogers said. “You’re gonna have a full business once you finish.”
Retired educator Webb enjoyed seeing the kids get involved.
“And get exposed to some things they can take right here in their own community,” she said. “This is a federal grant. We are blessed that Concord, Southern West Virginia, and New River Community and Technical College have invited us to their campuses.”
The massage therapy program prepares the students for the state board; including different modalities, how to safely work on someone at the table, contraindications and ethics.
“Anatomy, kinesiology. Once they’re done with the program they take a state board
(MBLEx), finish out the paperwork, then become licensed in West Virginia,” said Rogers.
Exploring various technical programs allows the kids to make goals and decisions about their future career paths.
“Different things that we’re doing for the kids today. You can just tell the atmosphere is positive,” said GEAR UP SWV community outreach coordinator Tammy Mills. “They’re surprised to see some of the demonstrations as far as alignment, tire swap challenge, to the samples of mac and cheese. I wish I would have personally had this when I was in eighth grade; to be able to go out and see some of these different opportunities.”
