Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Career Exploration Camp offers expert advice to area high schoolers

Local high school students are invited to learn about and discover  potential career paths this summer at a new Career Exploration Camp, featuring Oakland University faculty from a variety of fields.

Held at the university’s Anton/Frankel Center in downtown Mount Clemens, the new program will use interactive activities and recognized experts to get young students thinking about their career paths at an early age. 

“To make good career decisions, students must explore and investigate many careers,” said Julie Trube, director of Enrollment and Community Outreach at Oakland University-Macomb. “The more undecided a student is, the more likely he or she will need to spend extra money and years in college earning a degree. Whether a student's career interests are focused or general, career exploration will help them to create a more realistic educational and career plan.”

Oakland faculty presenters and areas of expertise include: 

• Chris Kobus, Ph.D. - engineering and computer science
• Patricia Wren, Ph.D - health sciences
• Gina Palombo, MSN., RN - nursing 
• Judy Martin - business 
• Stephanie Brandimarte, LMSW - social work
• Jay Meehan, Ph.D. - criminal justice

Faculty members will provide an overview of the types of jobs available in each field, an outline of the required knowledge, skills and abilities, and even offer a projected job outlook to help give students a sense of potential in emerging and growing fields. 

Geared to get students engaged and excited, interactive camp activities include building a solar panel, working with simulation mannequins to learn how to test blood pressure, heart and lung function and how to administer blood transfusions, visiting the Macomb County Verkuilen building to learn about social services, and participating in business simulation games and questioning a panel of business professionals.

“By the end of the camp, students will have a better understanding of the types of careers associated with each one of the career sectors that were presented,” Trube continued. “In addition, students will learn what they can do now, in high school, to start preparing. Student will also learn more about goal setting and be given tools to continue their career exploration.”

The Career Exploration Camp is designed for high school students aged 14-17, and will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, July 23, through Thursday, July 26, at the Anton/Frankel Center in downtown Mount Clemens. The $95 program fee includes breakfast and lunch each day.

For more information or to register, view the website at oakland.edu/macombcamp. To learn more about about summer programs, courses and camps available through Oakland, view the website at oakland.edu/summer.