On April 29th, Shumate Middle School's 8th-grade students embarked on an exciting field trip to the Downriver Campus of the Wayne County Community College District. The purpose of the trip was to introduce students to the diverse array of career-focused programs offered through the Downriver Career Technical Consortium (DCTC). This experience provided invaluable insights into potential career paths and helped students start thinking about their future beyond high school.
The day began with a warm welcome from the college staff, who emphasized the importance of exploring different career options and acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge early on. The students were then divided into smaller groups and guided through interactive presentations and hands-on demonstrations in various DCTC programs.
One of the highlights of the trip was the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps) program, where students learned about leadership, teamwork, and discipline. They participated in drill demonstrations and gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities available through military service.
Another fascinating program was Electrical Engineering Technology, where students were introduced to the principles of electrical systems and circuits. Through hands-on activities, they learned about the role of electrical engineers in designing and maintaining various electronic devices and systems.
The Health Sciences program also made a lasting impression on the students, as they learned about the various career paths available in healthcare. From nursing to medical assisting, students gained a deeper understanding of the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in these fields.
Another one of the highlights on the trip was the Criminal Justice program, where students learned about the various aspects of law enforcement and the criminal justice system. They gained an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of police officers, detectives, and other law enforcement professionals.
Throughout the day, students were encouraged to ask questions and interact with instructors and current students in the DCTC programs. This hands-on approach not only helped them gain a better understanding of each program but also allowed them to envision themselves pursuing these careers in the future.
As the day came to a close, students reflected on their experiences and shared their newfound interests and career aspirations. For many, this field trip was a pivotal moment that sparked a passion for a particular career path they had never considered before.
Many students had positive things to say about the field trip and their experience with seeing the plethora of DCTC programs first-hand. 8th grade student Jaxon W had this to say about the field trip, "I really liked the criminal justice stuff we learned about! I think that is something I would like to look into more for a career in the future." Megan B shared the same sentiment about the Criminal Justice program as her classmate sharing, "I really enjoyed hearing about the Criminal Justice program. The people there talked about their experience within the Criminal justice system and talked about the program itself and how it helped them. The way they talked about it really made me interested in looking into it more as I get ready for high school, and potentially as a college major."
But the high praise for the various programs students gained insight on does not stop there. Joel P had nothing but great things to say about the preview of welding program and the information that was covered; "I really appreciated hearing about the welding program, the presenter talked about the career pathways and also how 3D printing and CAD can play a part in it." The Mechatronics program had a very hands on approach to teaching students about the relationship between mathematical and scientific principles when it comes to electro-machincal systems, Sebastian O "thought it was really cool because it was really engaging, they let you drive RC cars and fly drones."
Overall, the trip to the Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus was a resounding success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the school, the college, and the DCTC programs. It provided students with a glimpse into the exciting world of career and technical education, inspiring them to pursue their passions and take the first step towards a rewarding career. One simple statement from Khloe L perfectly sums up the thinking of the 8th grade students who were able to attent the trip, "I thought it was fun because they let us try out different things, there were a lot of different hands-on opportunities to learn about the different programs."