Student Ambassadors of a Different Sort

October 27, 2011

Five SF Career and Technical students moved out of the classroom and into the public eye at the National Career Pathways Network Conference in Orlando last week.

"We wanted to give our students the opportunity to represent their programs at the showcase," said Jane Parkin, Director, Career and Technical Education. "There were hundreds of educators in attendance from all over the country, and many were very impressed with our students' skill level and focus."

Welding student Brien Hall (right) is three semesters into the SF Welding program. Previously he worked in the plastering and drywall field.

"I wanted to widen my options a bit," he explained, as to why he chose welding.

At the conference, he and fellow student Rob West (left) laid out all their different welding supplies and tools, and answered conference goers' questions about Santa Fe's program, and welding in general.

"It gave us a look at what all the other schools are doing, the different curriculums they are trying to get going," West said. "We were most interested in the welding simulator [at a vendor's booth]. It would eliminate a lot of materials waste. That was pretty neat."

The two took turns staffing the booth for about 2 to 2.5 hours each. Among the showcase participants was Weld-Ed, the national center for welding education and training.

In addition to Hall and West, students Steve Mollner and Robbie Gomez attended from SF's Heating and Air Conditioning program, and Shaul Mizrahi represented the Building Construction Management program.

"It was a great experience going outside of the school and explaining the program that I've been studying for the past year and a half, " said Mizrahi, who plans to get his Florida State Contractor's license when he graduates. "The program I'm in is great for people who don't have four years for school. In two years you get all the education you need to get into the field right away."

Parkin lauded the students' enthusiasm.

"They were excellent representatives of Santa Fe," she said.