`The Portage Lakes Career Center (PLCC) is home to people who want to practice skills outside of what a public school may offer. The building provides classes on Pre-Nursing, Culinary, Design Communications and Marketing, Cyber Academy, Cosmetology, Sports Medicine, Welding, and much more. Green, Coventry, Manchester, and Springfield are all partners with the PLCC and allow their students to attend there. Juniors and seniors either attend all day classes or half day – where they return to their school for math and language arts classes. The PLCC offers real life experience and many advantages in certain fields of study.
`Jaden Carroll ‘23, student of the Design Communications and Marketing program, says that, “some of my favorite things that we do in my program are photography, videography, digital art, and help out the school.”
`This program focuses on advertising and design fundamentals, photography, production, editing, etc. Seniors can apply for school-to-work placement, where they are placed in a real world environment with local employers to get some experience while also earning school credit. The Design Communications and Marketing program can help with jobs varying from graphic designer to technician or professional photographer.
`“I 100% recommend DCM because the class is a judgment free zone, our teacher Mrs. Eibel is a wonderful human being and instructor who has personally been one of my biggest mentors and role models in life and is willing to help you with anything, our room is very comfortable, you can learn so many skills such as how to work a camera, how to use photoshop, how to communicate to other people in business and anybody who has a creative mind, can handle constructive criticism, and loves photography, videography, and art would absolutely adore this program,” Carroll says.
`Another program that has to do with technology is the Cyber Academy. This program offers skills in computer networking, internet technology, routing, computer software, and more. Clayton Mckendry ‘24 attends the PLCC full time and says that,
` “I’m in the early college high school so my classes are different from most full day students. I’ve found that the classes are a little bit harder content wise, but the biggest difference is that the student has most of the responsibility of making sure everything is done on time and done correctly.”
`Along with his early college classes, Mckendry likes to set up networks through a network simulation app and try to fix issues. The Cyber Academy program is amazing for all students who would like to go into cyber security, web development, and programming.
`Some of the most popular programs at the PLCC are their medical programs. Sports Medicine, Pre-Nursing, and Medical Technician are helpful classes for anyone dreaming of going through the medical field. Sports Medicine focuses more on fitness assessment, athletic training, and injury care, whereas Pre- Nursing is medical terminology, patient care, and nutrition. The Medical Technician Program and Pre-Nursing have similar features; Medical Technicians focus on pharmacology and respiratory therapy which differs from nursing. Medical Technician programs offer First Aid certified, CPR certified, certified EKG technician, and certified pharmacy technicians; Pre-Nursing offers certified basic life support, certified first aid, and certified servsafe; sports medicine offers certified personal trainer, certified AMCA physical therapy aid, and CPR certified.
` Ava Contino ’24, Medical Technician student, says, “I like doing hands-on activities like learning how to take someone’s blood pressure and how to transfer patients safely.”
` Following that, Sports Medicine student Alexis Applegate ‘24 says, “Some of my favorite activities in Sports Medicine include getting the opportunity to work out twice a week and focusing on exercise. During the second semester we get the chance to go to Akron General Wellness Center to work on all components of exercise and nutrition. You get CPR certified, and learn all sorts of other components to saving lives.”
`As a Medical Technician, students can pursue careers in pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, health care aid, or phlebotomist. In Sports Medicine you can follow the careers, fitness specialist, personal trainer, or athletic trainer. Finally, as Pre-Nursing you can follow careers, nurse assistant, dietary assistant, or pharmacy technician.
`Building trades, Plumbing, Engineering, Heating, and Welding are also popular for kids who plan on working in manual labor. Building trades can offer careers that range from carpenters to plumbers to masons.
` Anthony Milkovich ‘24 says, “Operating the excavator and building sheds for the Christmas display,” are some of his favorite things.
` These programs offer many skill sets that can help people transition smoothly straight into a job after high school. Along with the Design Communications and Marketing program, building trades allow people to connect with local businesses for on the job training.
`Cosmetology and Culinary are programs tailored to people who plan on being hairstylists or private chefs. The Culinary program is connected to “The Neon Lime ” which is a restaurant that outsiders may visit and take in the full experience of student-led cooking and service. Additionally, the Cosmetology program allows anyone to come in to get their hair or nails done by students during the school year. They offer haircuts and styling, highlights and coloring, perms, basic facials, manicures, and pedicures at the Career Center Salon. Cosmetology student Lydia Smith ‘24 shared that she loves hands-on activities with hair and nails.
` “It is a lot so you need to be completely involved and dedicated but it’s very fun and you learn so much so quickly and gain friendships with others from different schools,” said Smith.
`The PLCC offers an education to those set on what field of work they want to pursue. Along with all the programs mentioned above, there are many more that the PLCC offers. Sophomores can apply to any program they wish to follow through the school and take advantage of all the opportunities the PLCC offers.
