VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — From mastering sterile procedures to developing fingerprints, high school students were able to explore high-demand careers at Vincennes University’s Techmester.
Techmester is a three-day summer experience that was held June 10-12 for Early College high school students to learn and explore different career paths with the help of Vincennes University professors and students.
The Early College program is designed for students looking to jump-start their college education while still in high school, by offering various pathways that allow students to earn both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree or Certificate of Graduation.
The university said that by connecting students to careers in cybersecurity, robotics, law enforcement, health sciences and precision machining, Techmester is an investment in Indiana’s talent pipeline.
“Techmester plants seeds of inspiration. When students experience what they’re capable of, it changes how they think about their futures,” said Dean of Career/Technical Education, Early College, Stefany Deckard.
During the three-day event, students were able to develop real-world skills through specialized workshops, which included opportunities to build and code robots, don life vests and helmets while hurling water rescue throw bags at a target and make name tags and other items using state-of-the-art machining equipment.
Vincennes University said these immersive workshops aren’t just simple activities; rather, they are career-shaping moments for students like Luke Appley, who said the experience helped shape a better understanding of what careers interest and excite them.
“I liked fingerprinting,” said Appleby, a New Palestine High School student. “We took something and put a fingerprint on it, and then we dusted it and could see our own fingerprint. I thought it was cool because that’s actually what people do at crime scenes. This really shows if you are interested in that field or not. You’re not just guessing.”
To learn more about the Early College program, you can do so by clicking here.
