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Labor Market Report Helps Valley Teens Choose a Bright Future
Thursday, September 13, 2007 Weslaco.....Targeting the Future, the newly-released 2007 Labor Market Information Report prepared by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley, provides facts and figures on the region’s evolving job market. In addressing the talents young people will need to get and hold jobs in today’s knowledge-based economy, the Labor Market report gives youths, parents and the business community a clear understanding of workforce opportunities.
Bill Summers, President /CEO Rio Grande Valley Partnership, presented the publication to regional economic development professionals, educators and business owners at the Partnership offices in Weslaco earlier this week. “This report tells you what is going on in the Valley,” Summers said, describing the comprehensive study that will help connect high school students to well-paying, in-demand careers once they complete post-secondary academic and technical education. “It tells you what you can become, how you can prepare for those careers, how much you can earn at these jobs, and who in the Valley is hiring.”
While designed primarily to guide students, their parents and educators with detailed information on career opportunities in the Valley, Targeting the Future is a useful tool for the business community as well. Tech Prep, which has been publishing a labor market information report for the four Valley counties since 1996, is a business-education partnership that prepares teens for personal workforce success via education pathways.
The Labor Market Information Report notes that, “High unemployment and low household incomes are not isolated phenomena. A common thread that binds these problems is education,” or more precisely, the lack of education.
“Our future revolves around the skill sets of the labor pool,” said Keith Patridge, McAllen EDC President/CEO. He acknowledged the Valley’s large young labor pool is an asset, but their mastery of in-demand skills is the other half of the mix. “It starts with parents and students recognizing the importance of education.”
Richard Vaughan, Burton Companies President/CEO and member of the Tech Prep Board of Directors, acknowledged the challenges that business owners face finding well-qualified workers to service customers. “This report needs to get into the hands of economic development departments and into the hands of business.”
Businesses play a critical part in developing a ready workforce, informing educators of current and emergent labor trends, according to Laurie Rich, special advisor for Industry Cluster Initiatives, Office of the Governor. “Business needs to articulate its needs much more succinctly, more specifically.” She cited a disconnect in the pipeline between higher education and the industries that hire graduates. “We have to do much better job connecting kids to what the future will look like for them and what skill sets kids need to be successful.”
The core of the report for students and their parents is the Job Identification Matrix. It lists targeted occupations, jobs that will have openings and pay more than $8.50 hour. The matrix describes what courses to take in high school and beyond in order to qualify for employment. Career options include Cardiovascular technologists, chefs, graphic designers, computer support
Pat Bubb hands Richard Vaughan a copy of the 2007 Labor Market Information Report prepared by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley.
Update on Past Scholarship Recipients
Thursday, August 30, 2007 WHERE IS HE NOW? John Villanueva
John is a 2006 graduate of Economedes High School, Edinburg and a recipient of a $5,000 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship. He has completed his first year of school and is still pursuing his occupational goal of becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Currently he is a Cooperative Pharmacy Program Scholar, which gives him the opportunity to obtain a Doctorate of Pharmacy in six years first by attending The University of Texas-Pan American and then the University of Texas in Austin. Then he returns home to the RGV for two years of residency and hopes to open a practice in this area.
John Villaneuva, currently a Cooperative Pharmacy Program Scholar at the University of Texas-Pan American.
WHERE IS SHE NOW? Michelle Lee Gomez
Michelle is a 2006 graduate of Los Fresnos High School and a $4,000 recipient of the Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship. She is maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a Chemical Environmental Technology major.
Extracurricular activities help to balance her education. She is a Mustang Ambassador for the College Information Office where she is a tour guide and presenter. Michelle dances with the Silver Spurs; is a peer mentor; and secretary of the Chemical Environmental Technology Club.
Michelle Lee Gomez is maintaining a 4.0 GPA as a Chemical Environmental Technology major and balancing extracurricular activities.
WHERE IS HE NOW? Omar Visairo
In June of 2003 Tech Prep granted a $5,000 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Scholarship to an Edinburg North High School senior who had a desire to be an electrical engineer. Omar Visairo was selected to receive the scholarship and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley recently caught up with him.
Omar graduated from the University of Texas Pan American in three years with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers where he served as Program Director during his senior year.
Upon graduation he was hired by Halliburton Energy Services, where he continues working at the Hobbs, New Mexico, installation. He has been married to Adela Garcia for the past year and a half.
WHERE IS HE NOW? Jose Armando Saenz II
Tech Prep recently caught up with a 2005 graduate of McAllen High School. Jose is the son of Jose Armando and Esperanza Saenz. “Multi-faceted” is a word that could be used to describe this junior at Notre Dame University. Jose Armando Saenz II is a pre-med student and is employed by the Office of Information at Notre Dame, where he helps clients over the phone or in person with their computers.
Jose has many interests besides his pre-med studies, also studying sociology and computer science. He is interested in music, Hispanic heritage, and faith. Jose dances in the Ballet Folklorico, performs in a Spanish choir, and is a sacristan server at the Spanish Masses held on campus. Team and individual competitions help Jose keep in shape through inter-hall football and university track.
After his graduation next year, medical school looms. Tech Prep made a good choice in selecting this highly motivated student to receive the Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos scholarship and wishes him continued success.
Jose Armando Saenz II, a student at Notre Dame, plans to go into medicine.
Real World Experience Prepare Campers for Success
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
“Don’t look down, Mark! Don’t look down!” Tech Prep students shouted to encourage a fellow summer camper at Real World Leadership Camp. At the three-day camp, Tech Prep students from La Feria, Los Fresnos and Santa Maria high schools learned to rely on their physical and mental resourcefulness in activities that prepared them for success as adults.
The students’ immersion in the ROPES (Reality Oriented Physical Experiences) course and lectures on customer service and hospitality habits helped them develop life skills that will be valuable in both higher education and in their chosen careers.
In eight different ROPES exercises, the students gradually recognized the importance of communication skills other than text messaging and the relevance of teamwork by other than athletes. Confronting challenges, creative problem solving, making decisions under time constraints, coming up with a plan, and achieving goals gave the teenagers a glimpse of skills the real world expects from employees.
The students had opportunities to witness others’ strengths and the ability to overcome physical limitations. They noticed the positive effect of support from team mates. (Don’t look down, Mark.) They began to understand about delegating responsibilities, different styles of leadership and cooperation, and being flexible.
Jaime Navarro of Los Fresnos said he enjoyed the problems that required a combination of thinking and acting. With his sights set on a career with Customs and Immigration, he knew what appealed to him most about the camp: “Learning leadership skills.”
Mike Buck, who instructed the ROPES segment, encouraged and challenged the students throughout the course. “Can you apply anything we learned earlier? Come on people. We can do this.”
The process gave several students insights on behavior. Daniel Diaz of Los Fresnos began coaching other students when he realized how much their comments had encouraged him. Handicapped by a blindfold, Edna Padilla found she listened more and was grateful for the cooperation of her teammates.
Leadership Camp also covers hospitality habits such as interview skills and phone etiquette.
Teachers’ ATC Training Results in College Credits for High School Students
Friday, August 24, 2007
Belinda Torres, Coordinator, Gives Welcome to ATC Participants
Janie Adame, Belinda G. Garaces, Mark Meade, Belinda Torres, and Eliza Groff are Pictured at the ATC Training
Mario Reyna, Dean of Business, Math, and Science Division, Welcomes Participants to South Texas College
South Texas College instructor Roy Sanchez said students who have taken classes with Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) teachers in high school Tech Prep courses are better prepared to handle college courses. “They’re usually ahead of everybody else in knowledge and course credits.”
At a recent ATC training hosted by Tech Prep and STC, 212 Valley high school teachers completed their certifications to teach content-enhanced courses to high school kids, courses that are substantially equal to specific college-level introductory classes and provide college credits. The 49 courses available for certification ranged from Principles of Marketing and Business Management to Medical Terminology, Health Science Technology, and Computer Cabling and Design.
Teachers are Shown at the General Session for ATC Training
Sanchez’s job at the ATC sessions was “to make sure the high school teachers of architectural graphics and engineering graphics are up to our system, not using outdated software or text.” Like other ATC trainers, he reviewed course descriptions, syllabi, projects, and course expectations with the teachers, making them aware exactly what their students had to accomplish.
Raymond Saenz, told Sanchez he limits the number of students in his architectural drafting courses at Nikki Rowe High School “There are so many things you have to teach them one-on-one.”
The relevancy of ATC courses is a critical element of the Tech Prep program. Ed Paris, who teaches at both Harlingen high schools and TSTC, said architectural and engineering firms told him that they now use computer-based drafting programs known as CAD to create their drawings and plans 99 percent of the time. That sparked a lively discussion about learning basics, including old-fashioned manual drafting, the newest CAD software, and where the industry is going.
“We know students from certain high schools are well-prepared. You are doing a great job teaching them. You are giving students their foundation,” Sanchez told the teachers from Mercedes, Alamo, Brownsville, Rio Grande City and San Antonio.
Diana A. Pena, who has 15 years experience in law enforcement, attended the ATC Technical Introduction to Criminal Justice with three fellow teachers from PSJA North to earn certification. “This way the students not only get an elective; they get an elective with meaning. They get college credit for the course,” she said. “It’s good to see what the next level expects.”
Antonia Flores of Mercedes works with a variety of computer courses from Web mastery to Internet fundamentals and has six ATC certifications. “It’s to a teacher’s advantage to be certified as soon as you can. You never know what you’ll be teaching next.”
High School Teachers are Receiving ATC Training Credits Before the
New School Year Begins
Tech Prep Students Get Real World Experience
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 Joanna Dragustinovis intends to become a chef, and Tech Prep RGV is helping her reach that goal. The Santa Maria High School junior spent a morning working in the kitchen at Magnolia Grill under the supervision of sous-chef Joe Flores, during Tech Prep's job shadowing program. Hours spent slicing carrots and zucchinis and dicing fruits only whetted Joanna's appetite for learning more.
“I like seeing the variety of work they do here. I like cutting vegetables. I just like being here,” said Dragustinovis, with a big smile. She had never been in a professional kitchen before, although she has been cooking since she was nine. She loves preparing meals at home and typically cooks two turkeys with all the trimmings every Thanksgiving.
Chef Flores started Joanna on the basics of sanitation: donning a hair net and scrubbing with soap to the elbows before handling food. During her senior year in Santa Maria, her courses will include a Tech Prep class in computers as well as Homemaking. Joanna hopes to attend the Art Institute of Houston's four year Culinary Arts Program.
Joanna Dragustinovis found additional motivation toward her goal of becoming a chef while participating in Tech Prep's Job Shadowing program at the Magnolia Grill
Cristina Gomez spent her Tech Prep job shadowing time in the pharmacy of Su Clinica Familiar. It was the first time she had been in the working area of a pharmacy, and her hours working with the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians reinforced her interest in the field.
“They have been telling me about the medications and what they do,” Cristina said. The Santa Maria High School junior is very interested in becoming a pharmacy tech and eventually a pharmacist. Her Tech Prep classes such as Chemistry, IPC Biology and Physics have laid the foundation for the young woman to continue her education in the field. She is eager to return to the pharmacy as a volunteer and be immersed in the world she hopes to work in.
Monica Solis, Su Clinica Familiar's Volunteer Coordinator, extended an invitation to the seven Tech Prep job shadowing students at the clinic to volunteer during the summer. She mentioned that colleges like to see students who are going into healthcare professions accumulate at least 100 volunteer hours.
La Feria High School student Priscilla Perez shadowed Su Clinica phlebotomist and lab tech Maggie Hernandez. As Hernandez drew blood from a patient, she described each step she was taking to the Tech Prep student, beginning with identifying the patient by name and date of birth. Priscilla watched intently as Hernandez described how to find a vein which differs depends on the patient's age and health. Blood and needles didn't faze Priscilla Perez one bit. “It just seems right, helping people,” she explained. She will be taking additional science classes to be prepared to attend phlebotomy school after she graduates.
Tech Prep student Priscilla Perez, who intends to become a phlebotomist, observes and assists Su Clinica Familiar phlebotomist Maggie Hernandez as she draws blood from a patient. Perez and six other Tech Prep students spent a morning job shadowing healthcare professionals at Su Clinica in Harlingen
Other Tech Prep students had their motivation boosted by their time “on the job.” Valerie Barrientos, intent on becoming a pediatrician, said her time spent in Su Clinica's pediatric department was exciting. At United Launch Alliance and KGBT TV-4, Tech Prep job shadowing introduced students to their future, the future they can have if they continue their education. Technical fields generally offer well-paying jobs with a high demand for trained employees. Currently over 16,000 Valley students are in Tech Prep programs.
For more information on Tech Prep call 956-364-4548.
Mentoring Program Training Offered on 8/9/07
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Does your organization want to begin a mentoring program or make an existing program even better? If your answer is “Yes,” then this workshop is for YOU! Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley has an AmeriCorps planning grant from the Texas OneStar Foundation and is working to enhance its own mentoring programs. We invite you to join us there!!
WORKSHOP TITLE: Elements of Effective Practice
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
This workshop designed to teach each participant how to start or strengthen a mentoring program.
The workshop utilizes curriculum based on the National Mentoring Partnership's How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice Toolkit.
Each participant will receive a personal copy of the National Mentoring Partnership toolkit.
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
DATE: Tuesday, August 7, 2007
TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Harlingen Public Library, 410 ’76 Drive, Harlingen, Texas*
HOST: Texas OneStar Foundation, Austin, Texas
COST: No registration fee; however, PLEASE PREREGISTER!
TO REGISTER:
1. Email Eliza Groff at Tech Prep RGV’s offices to let her know you’ll be there: eliza.groff@techpreprgv.com; or call the Tech Prep RGV offices.
2. Then complete the registration form at this link:
http://www.onestarfoundation.org/Elements_Training_2007 ... be sure to select the Harlingen session!
QUESTIONS? Call the Tech Prep RGV offices at 956.364.4509 or 1.800.852.8784 ext. 4509
Getting a Head Start on a Career in Health Care
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 “If it weren’t for Tech Prep, I wouldn’t be working here,” says Carely Soto, outside the patient education room at Rio Grande State Center. “It’s hard to get hired for a job like this without experience.”
The 2007 graduate of Santa Maria High School is a Tech Prep summer intern at the health clinic where she is getting a hands-on look at healthcare...and her future. “I’ve learned a lot of new things. I know I want to pursue a nursing career. I really enjoy working here.”
Carely has learned to take a patient’s weight and blood pressure, enter data into medical records and assist the diabetes educator. She particularly enjoys her work with the diabetes educator who teaches patients how to follow the proper steps in checking insulin levels and staying healthy, and how to hygienically inject insulin. Carely listens in on the sessions and assembles health products for each patient’s training.
Carely Soto is headed to the University of Texas Pan Am in August where she first will meet the prerequisites for acceptance into the B.S. in Nursing (R.N.) program. She is aiming to land a healthcare position through the UTPA work study program. That away, by the time she graduates, she will have considerable experience in healthcare. It will all come on top of her Tech Prep internship which gave Carely her first real-world opportunity to explore her life’s work.
Carely Soto finds it particularly helpful to work with a patient's diabetes training
Bertha Sauceda Loves Environment at the Rio Grande State Center
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Bertha Sauceda drew blood from a patient at Rio Grande State Center using a recently-learned skill. “I love this environment,” says the Tech Prep summer intern who is a recent graduate of Santa Rosa High School. She plans to become an R.N., taking her basics this fall at TSTC.
Bertha’s work at RGSC has definitely reinforced her excitement about becoming a nurse, thanks in part to the continuous support she receives from the staff. They even let her practice drawing blood from them. “Every person answers my questions. They are all friendly and helpful. I love the fact I’m meeting new people every day,” Bertha says.
When she was assigned to work with medical technologist/phlebotomist Elizama Villarreal, Bertha thought she wouldn’t like taking blood. She surprised herself and credits Villarreal for teaching her so well and being a very good mentor. “I’ve told them if they need someone to work here, I’ll come back.”
Bertha’s job experience as a Tech Prep intern opened the door for her to be hired for an entry-level healthcare position at Valley Baptist Medical Center. “They gave me the job because I’ve been working here.”
Bertha Sauceda practices drawing blood
San Benito Graduate Gets Taste of Psychology Career
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Since Laura Adame plans to become a psychologist, her Tech Prep summer internship working with mental health patients has been stimulating experience. The 2007 San Benito High School graduate is spending two months interning at Rio Grande State Center, assisting staff with mentally ill patients.
“So far, I like it. I like starting to understand how minds work differently,” Laura says. The Rio Grande State Center staff allows Laura to sit in on patient interviews and have her assist them during sessions on grooming and arts and crafts. She has learned much, she says, by observing how the staff deals with patients through verbal reinforcement.
“This is a nice opportunity working at Rio Grande State Center.” Laura says. “I would like to establish my own psychology practice someday,” acknowledging that dream would require a Ph.D. “I would be able to work here, at Rio Grande State Center with a Masters.’
Laura Adame will be entering the University of Texas-Brownsville this year to major in psychology. That’s a change from her earlier plans. But one year in San Benito High School’s Certified Nurse’s Aid program, with clinicals at Valley Baptist Medical Center, helped convince Laura that she did not want to go into nursing. She realizes it was better–and less expensive-- to learn that fact in the Tech Prep program high school rather than to begin college courses aiming for a nursing career. The knowledge she gained in Tech Prep healthcare courses will serve as a foundation for future health classes.
Diane Delgado, Volunteer Coordinator at Rio Grande State Center, takes a moment with Tech Prep Intern Laura Adame of San Benito
Amy Ochoa Interns at Rio Grande Pharmacy
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 Working at Rio Grande Pharmacy is not Amy Ochoa’s first job. But as a Tech Prep intern at the pharmacy, she is excited about working in a field she enjoys. “The difference is doing what interests me,” Amy said. “I want to be here doing this. It’s not just a job. You learn new things every day.”
Amy attended Keys Academy and will start at TSTC in the fall semester taking basic courses with the goal of becoming a pharmacy technician. She is in the Tech Prep First Generation Program and plans to go on to UTB, greatly influenced by her internship and her co-workers at the pharmacy.
“They are always teaching. They let me be very hands-on and not just doing the same thing. I want a career that keeps me active not just sitting down.” Amy said that having a career in a field that interests you makes you more productive and happier. “Everything is better.”
Amy is excited about working in a field she loves.
Enrique Casas Will Major in Electrical Engineering at UTSA
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 Enrique Casas is headed to University of Texas San Antonio this fall to major in Electrical Engineering. Before then, he’s getting hands-on experience as a Tech Prep summer intern working in the Information Management (computers) department of Su Clinica Familiar.
That means he works with the professional staff fixing computer hardware and software problems, going with them on calls to trouble shoot why printers don’t work and solve compatibility issues of new software.
“I was expecting this: a lot of work,” said the San Benito High School graduate, at work in the public health clinic’s pharmacy. What did surprise him is how chaotic and immediate the work place is. “People need to get their work done,” he said, so the computer experts can’t delay solving problems. “You really meet a lot of different people here and see different set-ups.”
Enrique took two years of Computer Assisted Drafting, Tech Prep courses, at San Benito.
Enrique is trouble shooting with the Information Management Department of Su Clinica
Kate Alvarez Interns at Su Clinica Familiar
Friday, July 13, 2007 Kate Alvarez planned to become an R.N., but during her Tech Prep summer internship at Su Clinica Familiar she fell in love with the field of nutrition. “Now I get up in the the morning excited about coming to work,” said the Rio Hondo High School senior.
Kate began her internship in early June, rotating through the Clinica’s internal medicine and pediatrics departments helping with clerical tasks. When she got to the patient education division, she prepared and read nutrition information packets and also sat in on patient nutrition counseling sessions.
Suddenly her future changed direction. “It opened my eyes a whole lot,” she noted, seeing nutrition staff working with diabetic, pediatric and pregnant patients. Although Kate had taken a food science class in school, nutrition didn’t snare her interest until she saw the real world application of the knowledge.
“There’s a lot of different job opportunities for a dietician,” Kate explained. She is impressed by the Su Clinca nurses who are mentoring her and talking with her about career paths.
When Kate graduates from Rio Hondo H.S. next spring, she expects to have earned 18 college credit hours as a Tech Prep student. Those hours will save her and her family a semester’s worth of tuition fees and time when she enrolls in UT Pan Am.
Through rotations, Kate found the field of nutrition of special interest to her.
Manufacturing Students Visit Tri-Pak
Tuesday, July 3, 2007 Not your Parents’ Summer Camp: Tech Prep Offers Real World Exposure
When 17 Valley high school students in Tech Prep’s Manufacturing Summer Camp signed up for the month-long camp, they didn’t expect to learn that a bowling ball is a good substitute for a watermelon.
The summer camp, designed to increase students’ interest and motivation for pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), combines classroom and lab experiences with trips to Valley manufacturing plants. It was on a tour of Tri-Pak, a Harlingen fabricator of produce-packaging equipment, that the company’s co-owner James Fitzgerald hefted a bowling bowl and told them to think of it as a watermelon. The students and their instructors were standing at a conveyor line the company was making that would electronically weigh, size, count and sort watermelons to a customer’s specifications. Instead of keeping a supply of watermelons on hand while working the bugs out of the system, Tri-Pak uses a bowling ball.
Problem solving is a necessary talent for manufacturing, the students from Harlingen and Edinburg learned at Tri-Pak. Beginning in the engineering and design department, Fitzgerald said Tri-Pak has to determine what problem the customer needs solved and how to do it. The Tech Prep students understood what Computer Assisted Design (CAD) programs do, having practiced using them during the first week of camp.
But the opportunity to be on the manufacturing floor was the experience the teens had looked forward to. For Migdalia Banda, a senior at Harlingen High South, the summer camp trip to Tri-Pak was her fist exposure to manufacturing, and she liked it. “I like working with my hands,” she said, and wondered if summer camp’s exposure to manufacturing might deflect her interests away from civil engineering.
Fitzgerald introduced the students to a ShopBot, a compact robot which completes in two hours a task that formerly took a full day on a drill press. “This is pretty incredible, more than I thought it would be,” said Daniel Macias, Edinburg Career Center senior, after his brief immersion in the real world of manufacturing. With other students he watched a machine that was probably twice his age shave a shaft down to specifications. Fitzgerald said mechanical equipment in the sheet metal shop may be very old, but it is both accurate and affordable. Technological components have been piggy-backed onto several pieces of equipment to improve their efficiency.
“It’s really awesome,” says Eric Martinez, who hopes to become either an engineer or a game designer, as he watched slivers of metal being milled off a shaft. Summer camp has enabled him to practice programming a mill.”
“I’ll find my calling in engineering. It’s in my blood,” says summer camper Austin Fitzgerald, whose family owns Tri-Pak.” I like the hands-on side. In engineering things are always changing.”
“It’s exciting for us to have kids from the classroom, ”James Fitzgerald said. “There are not a lot of young people coming into the industry.” That’s why the Tech Prep partnership includes local businesses. They report on their high-skilled, well paid jobs that will need to be filled by young employees. That influences the Tech Prep courses and the career paths recommended for students, giving them a goal to work for. When young adults land good jobs in the region, that impacts the Valley’s economy.
In fact, manufacturers are creating goods, while Tech Prep is helping skilled young adults create satisfying futures.
Students from the Manufacturing Summer Camp visit Tri-Pak of Harlingen
Student Interns Acquire Skills Through First Generation Project
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 Maybe Eusebio Gonzalez will become an architect. His summer internship at Draft Tech Design through Tech Prep’s First Generation Project is going to provide an immersion in drafting and will influence his career choice.
During Eusebio’s first week he began learning the basics of the computer program AutoCad and practicing how to design building foundations. Draft Tech owner Javier Martinez, a certified designer, said he wanted to familiarize Eusebio with designing foundations and electrical plans in hopes the Santa Rosa High School senior will go into the business.
“We need the help and we need employees,” Martinez said. “If he’s interested he can take a class in drafting in his senior year. Then we can get him back here when he graduates.” Martinez said classes and experience in drafting can give the Tech Prep student employment in the Valley or can be used as a stepping stone to other jobs or further education.
So far, Eusebio is interested. He grew up with a carpenter uncle who carried rolled-up building plans which Eusebio couldn’t figure out. During the internship, he is figuring them out and practicing a skill. And something else. “It’s fun,” Eusebio
said.
Eusebio Gonzalez interns with Draft Tech Design at TSTC
On her third day as receptionist at Century 21-Johnston Company, Elma Olivarez was on her own, handling a steady stream of phone calls and visitors with professional calm. The 2007 graduate of Santa Rosa High School is a summer intern through Tech Prep’s First Generation Project.
Elma is gaining valuable work experience as she gets ready to enter TSTC to major in business administration and perhaps prepare for a career in accounting. “Accounting seems really interesting and really hard, too,” Elma says between incoming phone calls to the busy real estate office.
Although Elma has no desire to go into real estate, she is learning a lot about the business and about working in a complex industry. “I told her if she could handle all the details and different personalities here, she could work anywhere,” said Century 21 manager Debbie del Bosque. Elma’s confidence and her professional phone manner, which she acquired as a telemarketer at West in Harlingen, convinced Century 21 that Elma would be the right person for the front desk.
After two days of training, the future accountant realized a major difference between her telemarketing job and being a receptionist. “At West, I have a script to follow during phone calls." At Century 21, she makes decisions.
The First Generation Summer Internship project is funded by a grant of Workforce Investment Act funds provided to Tech Prep by Cameron Works, Inc., the workforce board serving Cameron County.
Elma Olivarez interns at Century 21-Johnston Company
Justine Saldana Receives Scholarship to TSTC
Friday, June 15, 2007 Justine Saldana is the recipient of this year’s $4,000 Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship. She graduated from Weslaco High School in May 2007 as a Tech Prep Texas Scholar. She plans to further her education at Texas State Technical College, by earning an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene.
Justine observed first-hand the job skills and duties of the dental hygienist during her adolescence. The X-rays, moldings and special equipment used by the hygienist during her treatment begin to fascinate her. By her senior year she had settled on the Dental Hygienist curriculum and was pleased to be staying close to home.
In about two years Justine should be working somewhere in the Rio Grande Valley. She is excited about working in a profession that is expected to grow much faster than average through 2012.
Justine Saldania is the recipient of a $4,000 Scholarship
San Perlita Student Wins $3,000 Scholarship
Friday, June 15, 2007 Jose Manuel Rivas, San Perlita High School Class of 2007, has been awarded a Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship. He will use the $3,000 scholarship to study Criminal Justice at the University of Texas Brownsville/Texas Southmost College.
In the Tech Prep Program, Rivas took courses such as digital imaging and accounting which will be applied to college credits. At San Perlita, he has excelled in athletics: baseball, cross-country, and basketball. On the academic side, he was named to the National Honor Society and participated in UIL, the Chess Club and the Science Club.
“Jose Rivas stands out among his peers in appearance, in expression of integrity, and in demonstration of hard work,... balancing family responsibilities with his educational endeavors,” according to one San Perlita teacher.
“I want to make a change in the world and help the streets be safer for future generations,” Rivas said, explaining his choice of a Criminal Justice major. He also wanted to be in a field where he could combine his athleticism and the digital skills acquired in Tech Prep courses. Tech Prep enables students to make the transition from high school to two- and four-year colleges through directed courses of study called career pathways and through dual credit enrollment. This program lets them takes college courses in high school without tuition charges. Rivas' career options include law enforcement, intelligence, and much more.
Jose Rivas wins scholarship from Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley
Thought-Provoking Video "Did You Know"
Friday, June 1, 2007 Karl Fisch, a teacher at Arapahoe High School in Centenial, Colorado, has developed a thought-provoking video about the world that today's students are entering. He developed it for a staff presentation to "get them to really think about ....students will need to be successful in the 21st century." The video called Did You Know is often cited by speakers who also want to get their audience thinking about our changing world. To view the video click here Karl Fisch's blog where he also lists his sources can be accessed at http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know
Hanna High School Student Wins Tech Prep Scholarship
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Eduardo Cepeda, Jr., has been awarded a Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship, specifically the United Launch Alliance (Lockheed Martin) scholarship which is given to a Tech Prep Scholar planning to major in aerospace engineering. Cepeda, a NASA High School Aerospace Scholar, expects to attend Texas A&M-College Station which he chose because of its close ties to NASA and the reputation of its engineering school. He would like to work at NASA
At Hanna, Cepeda pursued the Tech Prep Engineering and Technology Pathway by taking courses such as architectural graphics and computer-aided design. Involved in Technology Students Association, Class Government, and SkillsUSA, Cepeda is also active with St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Tech Prep enables students to make the transition from high school to two- and four-year colleges through directed courses of study called career pathways and through dual credit enrollment. This program lets students them takes college courses in high school without college tuition fees, saving themselves and their parents money and time.
Eduardo Cepeda, Jr., receives scholarship from Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley
Two Edinburg High Students Awarded Scholarships
Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Two Edinburg high school students have been awarded Dr. Lauro F. Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarships to continue their educations. The two Tech Prep Scholars have followed approved plans of study that include career and technology courses and at least one college level Tech Prep They competed against 66 other students for the five Cavazos Scholarships.
Ana K. Rodriguzez of Economedes High School received the $2,500 Tech Prep scholarship, which she will use to attend St. Edwards University and major in accounting before attending law school.
Rodriguez, who has worked as a migrant laborer, said her long-term goal is to expand her father's trucking business into a major corporation. Already, the courses she took as part of the College Tech Prep Information Technology Program have made it easier for her to manage data in her job with the family business. A member of the Spanish National Honor Society and Math UIL, Rodriguez has shown the determination and character that will help her make the world a better place, according to the Scholarship committee.
Ana K. Rodriguez is granted a $2,500 scholarship by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley
Linda I. Figueroa, who is the Valedictorian of Edinburg High School's Class of 2007,
was awarded the $3,000 Tech Prep Scholarship to the University of Texas-Pan American.
In high school, Figueroa enrolled in the College Tech Prep Health Information Technology program and took courses in Health Sciences Technology, Medical Terminology and Pharmacy Tech. Intent on pursuing a medical career, Figueroa credits her enrollment in these courses and the related participation in clinical rotations at Edinburg Regional Medical Center with giving her a strong foundation for her future. She is scheduled to receive the Pharmacy Technician Certification.
The Dr. Lauro Cavazos Tech Prep Scholarship will aid Figueroa who is prepared to enter UTPA's Premedical Honors College Program, designed for students pursuing a medical career. Figueroa intends to go on to medical school, possible at Baylor College of Medicine, and eventually specialize in plastic surgery. “I am fascinated by plastic surgery because of the innovational procedures which change people in ways we never thought were possible, ” she explains. “Upon obtaining my M.D. and completing my residency and specialty training, I plan to open my own private practice serving the community by performing plastic surgery.”
Linda Figueroa is granted a $3,000 scholarship by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley
At graduation ceremonies, Rodriguez, Figueroa and other Tech Prep RGV Scholars will be distinguishable by the Tech Prep Honor Cord on their caps.
2007 ATC Training Scheduled for August 14-16 in Weslaco
Monday, May 21, 2007 Tech Prep RGV will provide its annual Advanced Technical Credit (ATC) training on August 14-16, 2007. This year’s ATC training will be hosted by South Texas College at its Weslaco campus. Advance registration is required; there will be no late or onsite registration. The deadline for registration and payment is August 6, 2007. A registration form for the August session can be accessed in the Downloads section of this website. (www.techprep.RGV.com)
Teachers who do not have valid ATC certificates or whose certificates are expiring are required to participate in training in order to teach ATC courses. The August session is the only opportunity Tech Prep RGV will provide this year. No makeup sessions will be offered. Teachers who need training and are not able to participate in the August training have the opportunity to receive training at other state sessions (see www.atctexas.org).
To learn about eligibility requirements for high school faculty teaching ATC statewide articulated courses, visit the state Advanced Technical Credit website (www.atctexas.org).
For additional information, contact Belinda Torres at 956.364.4516 or by e-mail at belinda.torres@harlingen.tstc.edu.
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