Verde Valley News – From emergency response to construction careers and from culinary arts to cosmetology, hundreds of Verde Valley middle and highschoolers experienced working in high-demand and rewarding industries during Pathways to Careers Exploratory Day Sept. 26 at the Yavapai College Verde Valley Campus.
“Our goal today is to provide each of you a better understanding of the variety of career opportunities that are available to you. As you tour the campus today, we encourage you to be curious and imagine what your future would be like if you pursue one of the featured disciplines highlighted today,” Sheri Denny told the students assembled in the Mabery Pavilion before launching them to all corners of the Verde Valley Campus. The regional director for the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona, Denny partnered with Heather Mulcaire, YC Associate Dean of the Verde Valley Campus, and Verde Valley schools to heighten awareness of the career-training options and the ACF scholarships available to students who may be thinking about what’s next.
Denny shared in her welcoming remarks that Chuck Marr, “who is passionate about YC’s Skilled Trades Center and all the opportunities it presents for students like you” established an ACF scholarship in honor of his late wife, Pat. In the last 12 months alone, the Pat Marr Memorial Scholarship for vocational Excellence and the ACF Pathways to Career CTE Scholarship have funded 55 scholarships totaling $126,180, she said.
On their tour of career explorations, participants heard directly from current YC or VACTE students who are getting a jump on their career training in early college or technical education programs like construction, electronics, fire science, hairstyling and law enforcement. They took turns mortaring concrete blocks, getting fingerprinted, watching YC student nurses practice blood transfusions, touring an ambulance, taste-testing student-crafted culinary treats and watching hair-cutting demos where the speaker asserted that the financial reward for cosmetology professionals is limitless.
John Morgan, Associate Vice President of Career and Technical Education at YC, who was on hand for the event, marveled over the sheer number of student participants, the hands-on experiences offered and the face-to-face interaction with students who are already in workforce programs.
“We appreciate the opportunity to showcase the valuable career programs we offer and we’re grateful to organizations like the Arizona Community Foundation that make them accessible and affordable for anyone looking to launch into a new or better career,” Morgan said.
Irena Del Genio, dean of the YC Verde Valley Campus, said the opportunity to share with young people every possible path to success post high school is vital to fulfilling the college’s dual mission of lifting lives and strengthening communities. “Seeing is believing,” she said. “After exploring more career options I’m sure these students have a keener sense of what, for them, could be next.”
The Arizona Community Foundation opens its scholarship portal Jan. 1. Visit https://www.azfoundation.org/scholarship-seekers/ to learn more.
For information about Yavapai College Scholarships administered by the Yavapai College Foundation, visit //yc.edu/scholarships.
Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.
To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu