DUBOIS – Students in gifted programs from several area school districts recently visited Penn State DuBois to explore some options they may have for future careers in technology related fields. Ranging from grades six through 12, 24 students participated in the program from such districts as Keystone, DuBois, Brockway, and Allegheny-Clarion Valley.
Held periodically on campus, these gifted workshops are meant to provide students with in-depth information on careers, and specific jobs, as well as the educational credentials they’ll need to work in those jobs. Each program focuses on a specific career field.
The most recent workshop focused on Information Sciences and Technology (IST). Students were introduced to network administration in business and industry in a hands-on laboratory environment, where they learned to design, implement, and manage networks.
“It’s never too early to explore your options for your future,” said Admissions Counselor Holli Lashinsky. “By becoming familiar with their career options at such a young age, these students will be better prepared to seek the education they need to achieve their goals, complete that education more efficiently, and start a career sooner. We hope they’ll be inspired so that when they approach graduation, they’ll have a good sense of what academic program is good for them.”
A gifted workshop that focused on IST careers was extremely beneficial for these young students, according to their school advisors.  High School Librarian at Allegheny-Clarion Valley R.J. Feicht said technology will touch every part of the world that these students live and work in.
“The sky is the limit, everything involves technology,” Feicht said. “Technology is critical in every field across the board; healthcare, agriculture, education, it touches every field in some way.”
Feicht recently attended a robotics competition with three of the students he brought to Penn State DuBois for the gifted workshop. These students already have an interest in technology oriented projects that involve practical application. So, this workshop was particularly helpful for his students.
“It gives them an idea of what they can do for their future career, and shows them that college is not all books, it’s also hands-on,” Feicht said.
