Most people dream of their favorite careers while they are growing up. Our SCSD CTE Department, along with the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIndustry Advisory Board (IAB), however, is putting those dreams into reality.
The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIAB, CTE Department and °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøTechnology Department recently hosted the 1st STEM Career RoadShow. More than 75 technology, architecture and engineering students toured eight °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIAB Technology Partners. This career tour put our °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøtechnology students in the driver's seat of their future career aspirations as they had the opportunity to meet technology professionals, tour their facilities and learn about career pathways, such as college, internships and mentorship programs. Students experienced Long Island technology careers ranging from manufacturing, robotics/pneumatics, computer software engineering, defense contractors/engineers and training programs that will help train our student workforce.
Participating °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIAB Technology Partners included: Designatroncis- Robert Kufner, Oerlikon International-Ed Sottile, Zebra Technologies-Rhonda Green, BAE Systems-Karen Limardo, TechWorks Consulting-Susie Henaghan/Thomas Lohr, FESTO-Susana Parra and Suffolk County °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø College’s Advanced Manufacturing Program- Laura Galletta/Michael Whelan.
The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIAB and CTE Department focuses on best preparing our students through industry partnerships in all career areas that promote work initiatives. The shortage of Long Island skilled workers in manufacturing and engineering has fueled this workforce initiative which has allowed us to partner with organizations such as the HIA-LI to work collaboratively to help create a pipeline that best informs students of opportunities that will enable them to stay on Long Island and be financially secure.
Phil Como, Executive Director of the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøIAB, stated that “the bridge between industry and education has to be built upon and reinforced so that we can best meet the needs of future employees and employers. There must be an effective pipeline created to ensure that Long Island business continues to prosper.”
The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøCTE Department, led by Director, Christine LoFrese, utilizes the resources of our industry partnerships to bring real world experiences to all students involved in Smithtown’s CTE programs (Business, Technology and Family & Consumer Science). The mission of the CTE Department is to provide these valuable opportunities to the students in our program in becoming college and career ready. This STEM Career Roadshow is just one example of many programs that are offered in the °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøCTE Department.
The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøTechnology Department offers a wide range of career opportunities both inside of the classroom(course offerings) and outside of the classroom through its award winning °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøRobotics Team, ”The Mechanical Bulls.” The °ÅÀÖÊÓƵ¹ÙÍøtechnology program includes courses in the areas of Construction, Drawing and Design for Production, Architecture, PLTW Engineering, Manufacturing, Robotics, Computer Repair, Electronics and Automotive.
A special thank you to Robert Kufner, Designatronics and Edward Sottile, Oerlikon, for sponsoring this event.
