Industry partners from various sectors spent time with Career and Technical Institute students during Career Week this week, sharing information about their company, their career and the advantages students have by being a part of CTI.
“What you have from this program is you have the knowledge and experience others do not have,” Culinary Institute of America baking and pastry instructor and certified master baker Jesse Jackson III, told chef Amanda Scoca’s class Thursday. Jackson himself completed the culinary program at CTI in 2008. He said he could tell which of his students came from a career and technical education background. “I started exactly where you are.”
Jackson told students that there are many avenues open to students beyond working in a kitchen, including front of house, merchandising and programming.
He shared how he not only teaches at the CIA, but has also done consulting for Ghiardelli Chocolate Co. and is a partner in a boutique hotel.
Students asked Jackson about his favorite food to eat (croissants) and bake (also croissants), if the CIA had a plant-based program (not yet) and whether he knew of any online culinary programs (yes, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts).
Callanan Industries (a paving materials supplier), HZ Electric Supply Co. and Onsemi also were onsite Thursday.
Career Week is an exception to the typical ‘no students allowed in the hallways during class’ rule at Dutchess BOCES’ Career and Technical Institute. Throughout the week, industry partners set up tables in the halls and conference center and visited classrooms to speak with students about their company or agency and share career advice.
The week launched Monday with Trooper Ed Feliciano from the State Police telling students what being a trooper entails – including having people scream in their faces. “It teaches you what it’s like to work under stress,” he explained. Though there are challenges, Feliciano said he has found it to be fulfilling.
“I love what I do and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.
Tuesday, representatives from Adams Power Equipment, New York State Department of Transportation, PC Construction and Veith Electric visited.Michael Delanoy, from NYSDOT, shared information about opportunities for students at the agency. Internships at the NYSDOT offer students a chance to get real-world experience while working under the direction of a regular employee. The skills students learn in the CTI automotive program: diesel, hydraulics and welding are all key competencies that are valued in interns and potential employees.
Two representatives from PC Construction, Daniel Salvatore, project superintendent and Lu Delgado, purchasing manager, spoke to Construction Trades and Trade Electric classrooms. Headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, the employee-owned commercial construction company has offices in the northeast, southeast and mid-Atlantic states, with an office locally in Poughkeepsie.
PC has internships available that provide a hands-on learning experience for students. Salvatore, a BOCES grad, shared that the qualities they look for in an intern or employee align with the GoPro program that CTI emphasizes. “Some of the most important qualities a student can demonstrate when they interview with us are right on the GoPro Poster”, he explained. “Be punctual, be prepared, and speak appropriately.”
Dylan Soons, a senior in the Construction Trades program, found the opportunities offered by PC Construction intriguing. “My plan is to enter the workforce after graduation and eventually start my own business,” Soons shared, but starting out at a large company to learn more interested him.
On Wednesday, Baxter Building Corp., Central Hudson, DBS Remodel, Dorsey Metrology International, DS Home, EFCO, IBEW Local 320, Ruge’s Automotive, Stockade Works and Pagones-O’Neill Investigation/Security visited.
Dave Stewart from DS Home, who completed a program at the Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center, spoke about the benefits of having electrical skills and the opportunities they can create. He highlighted how being an electrician is a valuable trade. This skill not only allows for the development of a rewarding career, but also provides the potential to start one’s own business, employing future apprentices to become electricians within the company.
In fact, Stewart hired a Dutchess BOCES CTI student full-time last year during senior signing day.
“As the students see partners in the building, they become more comfortable speaking with them and asking questions about their futures,” shared Sharon Myers, one of two work-based learning coordinators at CTI. “We hope that this inspires the students to start asking the questions about their future.”
