Summer break offers a valuable window for high school students to explore potential career paths and gain hands-on experience in fields that pique their interest. Joliet Junior College’s (JJC) Kids College provided just such an opportunity in the summer of 2019 with its diverse range of career exploration programs, particularly beneficial for sophomores beginning to consider their future academic and professional journeys. While the 2019 summer program has concluded, examining its offerings provides a fantastic example of the enriching experiences JJC provides to young learners and the importance of early career exploration.
High School Programs: Igniting Career Interests
JJC’s Kids College 2019 summer program featured a robust selection of programs designed specifically for high school students. These weren’t just generic summer camps; they were targeted exploration days and camps aimed at giving students a real taste of different professions.
One of the highlights was the Fire/EMS Career Exploration Day. This immersive program allowed students to step into the boots of first responders. Participants had the chance to engage with JJC’s state-of-the-art facilities and learn directly from faculty. The day was packed with hands-on activities simulating the skills needed in fire and emergency medical services. From donning bunker gear and using fire tools to practicing first aid and responding to mock emergency calls, students gained a tangible understanding of what a career in this critical field entails.
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For those drawn to healthcare, the Nursing Exploration Day offered a similarly insightful experience. Designed for high school juniors and seniors, this program provided a comprehensive look into the world of nursing. Attendees toured JJC’s advanced nursing facilities, interacted with current nursing students, and participated in simulations of real-world nursing skills. This direct exposure was invaluable for students considering a future in nursing, allowing them to experience aspects of the profession firsthand and ask questions of those already on the path.
Beyond emergency services and healthcare, JJC also catered to students interested in the burgeoning field of technology and innovation. The 3-D Innovations Camp, open to students aged 13-18, delved into the fascinating realm of 3-D printing. Thanks to support from the Best Buy Foundation, this camp was offered at no cost, making it accessible to a wider range of students. Participants were introduced to user-friendly 3-D printing software, learned to source printable designs online, and, most excitingly, created their own 3-D printed projects. This camp, held in JJC’s MakerLab, provided a hands-on introduction to cutting-edge technology and its creative applications.
For students with a passion for the culinary arts, the Culinary Camp for Teens was a standout offering. This intensive camp, held at JJC’s City Center Campus, provided aspiring chefs with world-class instruction. Students learned essential knife skills, mastered techniques for roasting, grilling, and braising meats, and explored the art of pastry making. Adding to the camp’s prestige, instruction was provided by JJC’s award-winning executive chefs, Certified Master Chef Tim Bucci and Executive Pastry Chef Andy Chlebana, known for his baking competition wins on the Food Network. This camp was a unique opportunity to learn from the best and gain a solid foundation in culinary techniques.
Programs for Younger Students: STEM and Beyond
While the high school programs, including the career exploration days, were particularly relevant for sophomores starting to think about their future, JJC Kids College also offered a diverse range of programs for middle school and elementary school students. These programs, while not explicitly focused on “career exploration” in the same way as the high school offerings, played a crucial role in introducing younger students to various fields and fostering early interests in STEM, arts, and other disciplines.
For middle schoolers, the Technology Camp provided a three-day immersive experience into the broad world of technology. Instructors from JJC’s Technical department guided young minds through hands-on activities spanning manufacturing, welding, automotive, 3-D printing, architecture, and even orthotics and prosthetics. This camp aimed to spark curiosity and demonstrate the vast possibilities within technical fields.
Another notable middle school program was Girls Leading the Charge, a STEM-focused camp designed to empower young women in engineering. Participants worked in teams to design and build solar-powered models, learning about solar/photovoltaic cells, gear drive and pulley systems, and engineering design principles. This camp, made possible by an E2 Energy to Educate grant from Constellation, an Exelon Company, provided a valuable introduction to engineering concepts in a collaborative and engaging environment.
Even younger children had access to enriching programs. Code Explorers camp introduced elementary students to the basics of programming through fun, web-based coding challenges, fostering early computational thinking skills. Dinosaur Discovery camp tapped into children’s natural fascination with dinosaurs, combining building dinosaur replicas with an exciting archaeological dig experience.
The Value of Early Career Exploration
Brenda Large, personal enrichment coordinator at JJC, emphasized the value of these programs, noting, “Students really enjoy attending classes on a college campus and experiencing a variety of classroom settings. They have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art technology while being introduced to various career pathways.”
While the 2019 Summer Career Exploration Program Sophomore offerings are now in the past, they serve as a compelling example of how colleges like JJC are actively engaging with younger students to provide valuable career insights and hands-on learning experiences. For sophomores and all students beginning to consider their future, exploring such programs, whether at JJC or other institutions, can be a crucial step in making informed decisions about their education and career paths. Exploring these opportunities early can ignite passions, clarify interests, and provide a significant advantage as students move forward in their academic and professional journeys. To discover the current programs available at JJC Kids College, please visit their website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information.
