Classes prepare DuPage teens for new careers
Edgar Ruan loves technology, so he always assumed he should aim for a career in computer programming.
Now the Wheaton North High School senior says he has discovered how wrong he was.
Ruan is one of several area high school students involved in Pathway to Engineering, a new curriculum at Technology Center of DuPage in Addison. The program was developed by Project Lead the Way — a nonprofit group focused on science, technology, engineering and math — to address the nation's staffing shortage in engineering.
“I can't sit at a desk or I will get bored,” Ruan said. “I love hands-on work and now that I'm getting a taste of everything (in the program), I found out engineering is the way I wanted to go.”
The technology center serves juniors and seniors from 24 DuPage high schools. And officials at the school say Project Lead the Way is a natural fit for students to take advantage of emerging career options like solar and wind power or robotics.
“We like to tie our course offerings into the national labor market,” said technology center Director Steve Clark. “This is just a natural for us, because of the facility we have, the equipment, and labor market statistics. We wanted what would give kids the best opportunities.”
Clark added that nationally there are not enough students majoring in engineering, manufacturing and technology to fill millions of high-paying jobs that will open due to retirements and innovation over the next several years.
“The biggest thing we are finding is people just aren't aware of these new careers that will be coming to the forefront,” Clark said. “Now industry is looking for high-tech skills. Many of the old industrial jobs are done.”
So students like Ruan who join the program can take courses in areas like digital electronics, pre-engineering or computer integrated manufacturing.
In plain terms, that can mean fun projects like creating robots that can navigate a maze or battle each other. Or more practical assignments, such as Ruan's current efforts to fix a 3-D printer.
Although Project Lead the Way offers courses in more than 4,000 schools across the country, the Addison technology center is the first high school in DuPage to implement the program.
This is a transition year for the curriculum, with students like Ruan and Glenbard West senior Mike Zielonski recruiting new students.
Officials said full implementation is set for next fall, and students can earn some college credit with the courses, too.
Ruan said college credit is just one of many bonuses that come with his favorite program that is “his main reason for going to school.”
“It gives you self-confidence and leadership skills and I think it gives me a huge edge,” he said. “Some of the courses I'm taking are things many people in their 30s and 40s couldn't understand. This really is a program based on making us employee-ready.”
If you go
<b>What:</b> Technology Center of DuPage open house
<b>When:</b> 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19
<b>Where:</b> Technology Center of DuPage, 301 S. Swift Road, Addison
<b>Cost: </b>Free
<b>Info: </b>(630) 691-7572 or tcdupage.org