Students explore future careers at Summer Career Academies

Downingtown, PA – When September rolls around, those students enrolled in the Summer Career Academies (SCA) will have some exciting

responses to the standard back-to-school question, “What did you do this summer?” Building a LEGO robot, exploring wildlife and natural resource management, earning CPR/First Aid certification or dishing out culinary delights are just a few of the opportunities afforded those students in grades five through nine who explore future careers with the Summer Career Academies this July.

Offered by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), from Monday, July 9 through Friday, July 27 students will participate in weeklong sessions focused on careers including Animal Science, Aquatics and Fishing, Building Technologies, Cosmetology, Creative Writing, Criminal Sciences, Culinary Arts, Digital Design, Game Design, Green Technologies, Health Careers, Lego Robotics and Small Engine Technology.

Reflective of SCA’s commitment to meeting career opportunities in high-priority fields, several new programs were introduced this year including Green Technologies, Health Careers and Small Engine Technologies, in addition to the girls-only Wildlife and Natural Resources available at the West Grove location which is available for a small fee of $25. Each academy offers hands-on activities taught by certified instructors in a small-group setting.

Based on feedback from parents and students, those enrolled will have an extra hour each day to delve deeper into their chosen career. “Students and parents both said they hoped to have more time with the subject matter, and the instructors felt they could also introduce more content,” said Summer Career Academies coordinator Deborah Watson, in reference to the adjustment to three hours each day.

In order to encourage gender equity in the field, the National Girls Collaborative Project has sponsored a new academy called Wildlife and Natural Resources, which is available to girls and will be held at the Chester County Technical College High School Pennock’s Bridge Campus from July 16-20. In collaboration with the Girl Scouts, this academy is badge-eligible.

“With us, occupation knows no gender,” said Watson. “We are preparing today’s youth for tomorrow’s careers.”

But students are not the only ones invited to learn this summer. “As an added benefit, we are offering parents of children in the Health Careers program the opportunity to get certified in CPR/First Aid for a nominal fee,” added Watson.

Academies are offered at four locations, including the Center for Arts & Technology (CAT) Pickering Campus in Phoenixville, Peirce Middle School in West Chester, the Technical College High School Pennock’s Bridge Campus in West Grove, and at the CCIU Educational Service Center in Downingtown.

The Summer Career Academies are designed for students entering grades 5-9 who are interested in exploring careers through hands-on learning activities. All academies are now 3 hours a day for $215, unless otherwise noted. Space is limited. For more information about or to register for the Summer Career Academies, please click here.