CAREER TECH
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Trends In Education
mer at the same architecture firm in downtown West Palm
Beach. “It was hands-on, no filing,” she said. “They trusted
me enough to let me take field measurements and meet with
clients and contractors.” Malivert is taking the six- to sevenyear
route to graduate early and take the certification test to
become an architect.
Janie Diebold is a sophomore at Port St. Lucie, who wants
to be an architect. “The program taught me the language of
architecture and how houses are put together,” she said. “It
gives me more expertise in the field. I want to build houses.”
John Piccharini has been a technical design teacher at Port
St. Lucie for 28 years, watching the program evolve from
mechanical drawing by hand to 3-D modeling and computer
aided drafting.
“My focus is to give them the spark to create and pursue
their passions,” Piccharini said. “The field of drafting encompasses
all areas of industry and the fundamentals of how
things go from being a creative idea to the reality of mechanical
objects.”
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
Jaeda Williams is a media services graphic designer for St.
Lucie County Public Schools, who earned her associate degree
through dual enrollment between Lincoln Park and IRSC.
Part of her job is overseeing students as they set up lighting,
camera and sound for TV productions at their schools.
Williams said the digital media program “pretty much
gave me the options in choosing a career and how to apply
the certifications to use in the real world. It set a standard as
far as media and I know what is acceptable for quality.” Just
18 months away from earning her bachelor’s degree, Williams
plans to continue working for the county while earning
a master’s degree online.
Through the digital media program students can earn
seven certifications and college credits at Treasure Coast,
Central and Lincoln Park, where instructor Gena Harriman’s
students have gone on to earn as much as $20,000 a year in
college by bidding on and completing freelance jobs.
Her students have gone on to teach digital media at private
and public schools. “Anytime students do something to
benefit society, that is much more powerful and technology is
second place,” Harriman said.
Samuel Barbuto, 25, has managed an auto repair shop and
works on tractor-trailers and construction machines. His three
years in the automotive program at Port St. Lucie High led
him to the conclusion he would need an associate degree from
IRSC, which he earned while working in his field full time.
PROGRAM OPENS DOORS
“If you don’t have credentials, no one will give you a
shot,” Barbuto said. “I’m not a book person, but it (program)
made me want to come to school more. It opened doors that
wouldn’t have opened. They give you a little bit of everything.
You have to know the basics. It benefited me immediately.
You put to use what you learned.”
Automotive programs offer three certifications at Centennial,
Central and Port St. Lucie. “We offer entry level skills to
enter the automotive industry as an apprentice,” said Robert
Rosbury, who has taught at Port St. Lucie for 28 years. “They
learn preventative maintenance and how to make simple
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A variety of career choices are available for students graduating from the automotive program. Tinkering with an engine at Port St. Lucie High School are
Hagen Fiske, Johann Feliciano and Ryleigh Burgess.