Director's Weekly Memo 2019-10-28

ODCTE offers career planning resources

Not sure how to research an occupation or plan your education to your chosen career? Need some help planning your job search, like preparing your resume or learning interviewing tips? OK Career Guide, Oklahoma’s statewide career system supported by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, can help.

The online system, which launched Aug. 21, 2015, is built specifically for Oklahoma. It serves a wide audience and provides data to administrators. Oklahoma schools and all Oklahomans have access to the online tool at no cost.

OK Career Guide allows users to achieve the following:

Develop career awareness.
Develop individual career plans.
Create online portfolios.
Take assessments.
Explore careers.
Research and link to postsecondary schools.
Locate scholarships.
Set career goals.
Connect to business and industry.
Build resumes and cover letters.

OK Career Guide

Aerospace partnership is making a difference

What does it take to build Oklahoma's economy? Watch this video to see how Aircraft Structure International Corp has benefited from guiding the training of new aircraft mechanics in Enid.

CareerTech Champion: Alex Cuevas – Kiamichi Technology Centers, McAlester

Alex Cuevas; man in red SkillsUSA blazer. THEN: An emancipated minor, juggling work, school and extracurricular activities. When Alex Cuevas wasn’t studying or practicing routines for McAlester High School’s marching band, he was taking computer classes at Kiamichi Technology Centers. He enrolled there as a junior, saying he wanted real-life, hands-on experience in a field that would allow him to go straight to work after high school. He was elected class officer in the SkillsUSA organization and

Won a bronze medal at the national SkillsUSA competition.
Gained a better understanding of how a computer works, what computer networking is and how to work with coaxial and Ethernet cables.
Was named outstanding student in computer and information technology.

Alex said competing at SkillsUSA taught him the value of hard work and determination and how they can lead to new opportunities. He plans to compete again this year, vowing to bring home a first-place award.

Instructor Susie Hass described Alex as a very responsible young man.

“He is a true CareerTech champion,” she said. “He is excited about what he is learning and is eager to start working in the computer networking field.”

NOW: With all of his activities and responsibilities, Alex has maintained a 4.0 GPA. He will graduate from Kiamichi Tech’s CIT program at the end of the year and will receive the related certifications to help him get a job.

“These skills have given me the confidence to DIY my own computers and networks and help my family and friends with theirs,” he said. “I am ready get to work and start making money!”

“CareerTech is a great experience and a good way to get ready to go right to work after school, or help you better prepare for college.” -- Alex Cuevas, CIT student

Canadian Valley Tech’s Project SEARCH program recognized

: From left, Project SEARCH founder Susie Rutkowski; CVTC trainer Laurie Eaton; CVTC instructors Jennifer Covalt and Jill Scott; and Project SEARCH founder Erin Riehle.

Canadian Valley Technology Center’s Project SEARCH has received a national award because of its 77 percent employment rate.

The program, which is housed with Integris Canadian Valley Hospital, is a full-time program for young adults with significant disabilities. Students complete three 10-week internships in different parts of the hospital during the one-year immersion program.

Instructor Jill Scott accepted the award at the National Project SEARCH Convention in California.

Tri County Tech to present at Oklahoma Quality Conference

Tri County Technology Center Superintendent and CEO Lindel Fields will speak about “Tri County’s Baldrige Award Winning Journey” at the Oklahoma Quality 2019 Sharing of Best Practices Conference and Awards Luncheon.

Tri County was a 2018 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient.

The conference will be 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Moore Norman Technology Center’s South Penn Campus.