Career & Technical Education A partnership with College of DuPage’s Office of High School Partnerships, DuPage Area Partnership for College and Career Success, and DuPage Area Occupational Education System. Volume 5, Issue 2, Winter 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Calendar of Events New Degrees and Certificates at COD Staff Information Spring Open House—Pathways to Careers Director, Office of Academic Partnerships Mary Klinefelter klinefelterm@cod.edu (630) 942-2853 Regional Coordinator, Partnership for College and Career Success Sue Doser sued@daoes.org (630) 691-7508 Coordinator, Nontraditional & CTE Grant Programs Anna Gay gayanna@cod.edu (630) 942-3692 Facilitator, CTE Special Projects Dennis Beemer beemerd@cod.edu (630) 942-3602 Specialist, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Sue Blasi blasis@cod.edu THE CERTIFICATE ADVANTAGE The high unemployment rate in the United States is a domestic problem that has been featured in the media. Historically, individuals who have completed a degree in higher education improve their chances of obtaining employment and job security. Today, however, higher education may seem out of reach for people on a tight budget. In addition, those with jobs and trying to advance often find that the demands of the employer and family simply do not allow adequate time for higher education. Certificates may be a solution for the unemployed, underemployed, and/or individuals with tight budgets and time constraints. The first advantage is certificates are generally much shorter than associate and baccalaureate degree programs. Second, course scheduling for certificates provides flexibility for both the part-time and full-time student. Another advantage is the majority of the credits earned in the certificate usually transfer to an associate degree program. The certificate programs of study are devised by committees consisting of educators and local business and industry representatives, to meet the area employment needs. As illustration, consider the Computer and Internetworking (CIT) department at COD. This department offers eight different certificates. The “Internetworking Technician” requires 12 credits, and the longest certificate, “Computer and Internetworking Technologies” requires 44 credits. Concerning flexibility, course CIT1121 (Networking Fundamentals), required in six of the eight CIT certificates, has eight sections scheduled in the spring 2011 semester with varying start times and meeting days. Complete College America (CCA), an organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., has taken an in-depth look at postsecondary certificates. Highlights of the report are: (630) 942-4323 Specialist, Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Dana Sample sample@cod.edu In 2007-08 most certificates were awarded in the field of Healthcare (43.3%). Certificates of one year or more were consistently linked to increased pay. A quality certificate program typically leads to good-paying jobs. Quality certificate programs, according to CCA, have the following characteristics: (630) 942-2458 Specialist, CTE Disability Programs Steven Fry fryday@cod.edu (630) 942-3854 Consultant, Professional Development Cheryl Keel cherylk@daoes.org (630) 691-7506 Both academic and field experiences have rigor. The program meets the regional work force needs. The program is at least one academic year in length. Courses in the program of study are readily available. The College of DuPage is consistently recognized by the Illinois Community College Board and national accrediting organizations for providing “quality certificate programs.” For the complete results of the December 2010 report (“Certificates Count: An Analysis of SubBaccalaureate Certificates”) visit www.completecollege.org. Coordinator, Articulation Programs David Villarroel villarro@cod.edu (630) 942-2776 1 Career & Technical Education Newsletter CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE TCD PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT MULTIMEDIA and TELEVISION PRODUCTION Please see page one for staff contact information. “High expectations in high definition” is the new slogan February for the multimedia and television production program at the Technology Center of DuPage. New recording decks, monitors, production switcher, and audio components have been installed. HD studio and field cameras were purchased, providing students with greater flexibility in their projects. Feb. 17, 18—Construction Expo. Contact Anna Gay Feb. 18—Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Competition. Contact Dennis Beemer Feb. 25—County Wide Institute for CTE Teachers. Contact Sue Doser Feb. 25—County Wide Institute for School Counselors. Contact Cheryl Keel March Mar. 8—Nontraditional Mentoring Group. Contact Anna Gay Mar. 11—School Counselor Appreciation Day. Contact Tracey Dulceak at 630-942-2093 or dulceakt@cod.edu Instructor Jeff Heise stays current in techniques by working part-time as an audio and production engineer. With this new equipment he is anticipating more and better projects from his TCD students and continued success in SkillsUSA state-wide competition. In his seventeen years as a TCD instructor in multimedia and television production, there have been numerous state champions in the product development and television production divisions. For more information, contact instructor Heise at 630-620-8770 or visit www.tcdupage.org. Mar. 12—Regional Science Olympiad. Contact Anna Gay Mar. 16, 17—Connections Conference. Contact Anna Gay Mar. 18—Exploring Career Series: Green Occupations. Contact Dennis Beemer HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION Mar. 28, 29, 30—Men in Health Care Career Camp. Contact Anna Gay April Apr. 5 — Next Steps. Contact Steven Fry Apr. 12—Next Steps. Contact Steven Fry Apr. 12—Nontraditional Mentoring Group. Contact Anna Gay Apr. 13—COD Open House: Pathways to Careers. Contact Amy Hauenstein at 630-942-2442 or hauensta@cod.edu Apr. 13—Exploring Career Series: Fine & Applied Arts. Contact Dennis Beemer According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the hospitality industry is the largest private sector employer in the United States, and two million additional jobs are expected by 2016. These jobs will be found in hotels, restaurants, retirement villages, casinos, corporate business centers, and embassies. Hospitality Administration programs at the College of DuPage prepare people to enter the fast-growing and fast-paced hospitality industry. The departments include foodservice administration, culinary arts, baking & pastry arts, and hotel & lodging. The associate degrees (AAS) require the completion of 64 to 70 credits. Examples of the short term certificates are the beverage management certificate (10 credits) and the culinary arts certificate (45 credits). All of these departments will be moving into the new Culinary and Hospitality Center (CHC) scheduled to be operational by the fall 2011 semester. New classrooms and kitchens will accommodate the expected enrollment escalation. The CHC will include a modern television studio and amphitheater (shared by hospitality and multimedia programs at the college), a four-star dining room, casual dining spaces, and a six-room boutique hotel. Apr. 14—Student Leadership Academy, Groups One and Two. Contact Anna Gay Apr. 19—Next Steps. Contact Steven Fry Apr. 26—Exploring Careers Series: Family & Consumer Science. Contact Dennis Beemer Apr. 26—Next Steps. Contact Steven Fry May May 3—Partnership Awards Breakfast. Contact Cheryl Keel May 6—Disability Workshop. Contact Steven Fry May 23—National Restaurant Show. Contact Dennis Beemer COD PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT 2 For additional information, contact coordinator Chris Thielman at 630-942-2720 or thielman@cod.edu. Career & Technical Education Newsletter STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (SLA) High schools participating in the SLA for 2010-11 include Naperville Central, Naperville North, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Glenbard East, Glenbard West, Glenbard South, Waubonsie Valley, Neuqua Valley, West Chicago, Fenton, Westmont, and TCD. High school faculty select a maximum of ten students per high school to participate in this annual program. The third session for 2010-11 was held on February 10 & 11 and focused on job interviewing including practice with adult volunteers as the interviewers. Prior to this session, the students received instruction in resume-writing, cover letter writing, and interviewing. All public high schools in District 502 (the COD district) are encouraged to consider joining the Academy for 2011-12. For more information please contact Anna Gay at (630)942-3692 or gayanna@cod.edu. REGIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD AT COD The College of DuPage is pleased to host the Regional Science Olympiad for the ninth consecutive year. Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of K-12 science education; increasing interest in science across all racial and gender groups; creating a technologically-literate workforce; and providing recognition for outstanding scientific achievement by both students and teachers. This year’s Olympiad will be March 12 from 9AM till 2PM, on the Glen Ellyn campus. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free event. The following area high schools will be exhibiting: Hinsdale South, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard South, Glenbard West, Glenbard East, York, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Lake Park, Willowbrook, and Metea Valley. For more information contact Anna Gay at (630)9423692 or gayanna@cod.edu. CTE CLASS + DUAL CREDIT = EMPLOYING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A JUMP START TO COLLEGE The College of DuPage has an Employer Advisory Council (EAC) whose mission is to promote the employment of people with disabilities. Accordingly, the council is creating a PowerPoint presentation that outlines the reasons for hiring people with disabilities. This presentation will be adaptable to different audiences including chambers of commerce, community service organizations, and high school pupil personnel departments. Council members working on the PowerPoint include Paul Engman (job coach at Glenbard South), Roger Sutfin (retired facilities engineer), and Steve Fry (disability specialist at COD). Want to learn more about Dual Credit and how your CTE students can start earning college credit while in high school? Please contact Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Specialists: Sue Blasi, blasis@cod.edu Dana Sample, sample@cod.edu Office of High School Partnerships EAC expects to complete this PowerPoint in March 2011. For more information and/or ordering instructions, high school staff are asked to contact Steve Fry at 630-942-3854 or fryday@cod.edu. College of DuPage tel: 630-942-2880 BTEC CAREER DAY AT COD Nine different programs were represented at the Business and Technology Career Day, held in the new COD Technology Building on January 28. Thirty students from five different high schools (Glenbard South, Glenbard North, Glenbard West, West Chicago, and TCD) chose their three favorite careers and spent time with the instructors and equipment. Given that the largest session included only six students, there was time for both hands-on activities and questions and answers. After the breakout sessions all students and the high school staff gathered for a presentation by the COD Admissions Coordinator, Amy Hauenstein. Ms. Hauenstein explained the steps for transitioning from high school to college, described COD extracurricular programs, and clarified that the same financial aid opportunities for four-year college students exist for community college students. Professor Branislav Rosul, COD electronics department, operates a robot for high school visitors during Jan. 28 Career Day. The positive feedback was represented by the student who wrote, “The strong point of my experience today was that I got the facts about COD.” 3 Career & Technical Education Newsletter NEW CERTIFICATES & DEGREES AT COD COD has received approval from the Illinois Community College Board to offer the following new certificates and degrees, in addition to those mentioned in the fall 2010 issue of this newsletter. The potential jobs are listed for graduates with these credentials. Renewable Energy (certificate) > Solar energy system installer, green power technician, energy specialist, and maintenance technician. Sustainable Landscapes (certificate) > Landscape contractor, grounds manager, garden designer, environmental manager, and green roofs designer. Sustainable Interiors (certificate) > Interior designer and green/sustainable design materials specialist. Energy Audit (certificate) > HVACR service technician, building inspector, mechanic, and installer. Advanced Multi-Skilled Technician (certificate) > Energy specialist, industrial process technician, testing technician, and instrument & control technician. Manufacturing Skills Standards (certificate) > Manufacturing production process developer, maintenance, installation & repair technician, and health, safety, & environmental assurance technician. Administrative Assistant and Meeting/Event Planner (certificate) and (AAS degree) > Executive assistant, corporate events planner, and meeting planner. Paralegal Studies (certificate) and (AAS degree) > Paralegal and legal assistant. Property Management (certificate) > Property manager, broker licensee, and salesperson licensee. Geographic Information Systems (certificate) > Cartographer, geographic analyst, public works manager, and environmental protection manager. Voice Over Internet Protocol Telephony (certificate) > VOIP support specialist, installer, and maintenance technician. SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT COD—APRIL 13 The College of DuPage has a long-standing practice of conducting a spring, campus-wide open house for area high school students and their parents. For many years the spring open house was called “Junior-Senior Night,” targeting the current high school junior and senior students. Spring 2010 brought many changes to this annual event. This event is now called “Pathways To Careers” because it will be providing more information about careers. Current COD students and high school students and the general public are all invited to the spring open house. In addition, open house sessions will be held during both morning and evening hours. The 2011 “Pathways To Careers” will be held on April 13, from 10am to 2pm and from 6pm to 9pm. Attendees will have the opportunity to: Meet representatives from COD Academic Programs, Admissions, and Financial Aid. Learn about the various career pathways within the 16 nationally recognized Career Clusters. Learn about COD certificate and degree programs as well as transfer programs. Tour COD buildings on the Glen Ellyn campus. For more information contact Dennis Beemer at 630-942-3602 or beemerd@cod.edu. 4