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Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2009

Peach High’s Career Week focuses on future

FORT VALLEY - Peach County High students and parents got a glimpse last week of what’s in store for those seeking education beyond graduation.

Alicia Brooks, the school’s graduation coach, worked in conjunction with Fort Valley State University to plan the high school’s annual Career Week event.

Wednesday, the school’s gym was abuzz with noise as students from the ninth grade onward came in to talk with college admission counselors, military recruiters and financial aid experts.

Tables encircling the gymnasium floor featured representatives from the U.S. Army, National Guard, Marine Corps, Fort Valley State University, Clayton State College, Georgia College and State University, Middle Georgia College, Middle Georgia Technical College, Brewton-Parker College, Mercer University, Piedmont College, Georgia Southwestern University, Valdosta State University, Macon State College and Gordon College.

Alicia Brooks, the high school’s graduation coach, said more and more students are becoming aware that a high school diploma alone won’t be enough to start a career.

“The high school diploma is becoming more like the GED: it’s a minimum,” Brooks said over the noise in the almost-full gym. “They know they’re going to need more education to compete in today’s work world.”

More education is part of what the U.S. Army offers those who sign up, said Sgt. 1st Class Andre Garner, a recruiter out of Warner Robins whose table seemed to draw the largest crowd.

“The military can help with college, and offers up to $70,000 in financial aid,” Garner said. The 13-year veteran from Demopolis, Ala., said that while most students stopping by the table just wanted baubles such as pencils, drink containers or bags, others were genuinely interested in considering military service.

“They want to know how long the enlistment is for, will they have to go to war or what kind of jobs does the Army have,” Garner said, stepping out of the way as students crowded the area.

At Fort Valley State University’s display, Tracy Marshall said there was “an outstanding level of interest” in the university.

“Even borderline students are asking about specific programs,” said Marshall, coordinator of the university’s office of diversity and international programs. “Business, such as accounting and management, is the No. 1 interest, it seems. There’s a lot of loyalty in the community for us, but after all we are your hometown university.”

Marshall stressed that while she prefers students to attend Fort Valley State, she also just wants “these kids to go to college.”

That message wasn’t lost on 14-year-old Jennah Rigdon, a ninth-grader from Byron, who said she’s already planning to attend Valdosta State University and study biology.

Friend Dennis Adams, 15, also in the ninth grade, said he’s considering joining the military after high school, possibly the Air Force.

“They have a lot of benefits,” he said, “and after that I want to study engineering in college.”

Jessica Berryhill, an admissions counselor with Macon State College, said she had a busy morning as she held up a handful of papers from students who wanted to know more about the college.

“Our education program is popular, along with health sciences and especially nursing,” Berryhill said. “I think the students are focused on the job market, and they’re interested in us because we’re local.”

The weeklong series of events concluded with an eye on the future, as Friday was middle school day. Students from Fort Valley and Byron middle schools toured the high school campus and met with ROTC, military and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education representatives.

“The tour is part of the transitional program for eighth-graders,” Brooks said. “It never hurts to have more information about your future.”

Contact writer Jake Jacobs at 923-6199, extension 305.