One-Week Summer Career Exploration Programs at Polytech

FLEMINGTON – Parents on the hunt for productive time this summer can act fast to secure spots in a one-week opportunity at Polytech Career and Technical School. The school known for teaching job-focused skills will open its doors to younger students for a week of exploration-based workshops. Polytech’s EXCITE program offers options from automotive to aesthetics, baking to biomedical, and child care to culinary.

EXCITE leverages Polytech’s on-site equipment, educationally designed facilities and instructor experience to present youth with “just try it” experiences that can provide a specific payout. It can give them a feel for certain career paths before they have to narrow down high school elective choices, and can turn a mere hobby into a career interest.

“These five-day workshops are an ideal way for students to sample a general career area,” said Hunterdon County Vocational School District Assistant Business Administrator Tanya Nalesnik. “The experience can play an important role in the high school course selection process.”

EXCITE has all the elements of a summer session that discreetly tucks learning into full days of fun. The instructors are experts in teaching students about real-world careers in engaging ways. The facilities are designed to accommodate multiple participants so everyone gets a hands-on experience. The one-week format offers a break from summertime monotony without infringing on family schedules, and the full week costs just $150 per student.

EXCITE programs will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for five days starting July 8, with sessions at the school’s Bartles and Central campuses. Each one is built around the interests of students entering sixth through ninth grades. Parents can learn more by calling (908) 788-1119, ext. 2024, or by visiting www.hcpolytech.org for complete details and a registration form.

Babysitting 101 – Youth who love children and want to earn money can add this info-rich experience to their list of qualifications. They’ll earn a participation card for American Heart Association instruction in Friends and Family CPR for Child and Infant. They will also learn fun and exciting activities and projects that will be helpful when babysitting the little ones.

Teen Cuisine – This always popular session for wannabe chefs provides age-appropriate lessons in culinary and baking techniques, tools and recipes. Participants work in Polytech’s professional-grade kitchen to whip up tasty treats. It’s the perfect summer activity for someone who dreams of being the next Food Network star.

The Pit – Up-and-coming drivers will learn about auto care and maintenance in a hands-on way. This workshop covers interiors and exteriors to show participants how the average auto works. Youth who love The Pit can consider a future with Polytech’s Automotive Technology Program, which has a history of graduating highly skilled mechanics who place in state and national competitions.

Overhaulin’ – Tinkerers with a flair for flash will learn the basics of auto body refinishing. Each participant will work on two personalized welding projects and use the paint booth to create a custom-painted mailbox.

Extreme Makeover – Youth who play with hair and makeup can get style tips from a professional while learning what it takes to turn their interests into a paycheck. Participants will learn the latest trends in hairstyles, makeup application, nail care and nail art. It’s a summer-sized sample of Polytech’s Cosmetology program that ultimately prepares students for state licensing and a successful career.

Fabulous Faces – Beauty seekers will learn about proper skin care – also known as aesthetics – as well as how to perfect their eyebrows, highlight facial features and apply false eyelashes. They’ll learn it all from a former Miss Petite New Jersey who will share her beauty secrets.

Graphic Design – Participants will get a taste of the graphic design life by producing personalized logos and applying them to T-shirts, pins and a take-home “skateboard.” Middle schoolers pulled to this program might also be interested in Polytech’s Graphic Arts program, where high school juniors and seniors run a studio that markets and produces design solutions for area businesses.

My Creative Space -- Art lovers will use drawing, painting and modern technology to explore traditional and digital art to create animations, illustrations, graphic design and package design.

Scrubs – Caring souls will get a look at what life’s like in the medical field as they learn the fundamental skills of nursing procedures and patient care. Using the SimMan simulator, they will practice monitoring vital signs and walk through the steps of administering medicine. They’ll earn a participation card for the American Heart Association’s instruction in Friends and Family CPR. Students who love this experience could have a future with Polytech’s Healthcare Science career path.

Joint Adventure – A sports obsession could evolve into a career in the growing medical field. Participants will learn how to take vital signs before and after exercise, calculate body mass index (BMI) and design a personal fitness plan. They’ll learn how to read nutrition labels and build a cookie model of the skeletal system, and they’ll earn a participation card for the American Heart Association’s instruction in Friends and Family CPR.

Hunterdon County Polytech Career and Technical School is the largest component of Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD). Polytech is the district’s shared-time high school that prepares students for a seamless transition to college and career paths. HCVSD also operates an Adult and Continuing Education school and three science-based high school academies: the Biomedical Sciences Academy, the Computer Science and Applied Engineering Academy and the Environmental Sustainability and Engineering Academy. Learn more at www.hcvsd.org.

All pupils will be given equal opportunity for enrollment in programs operated by the Hunterdon County Vocational School District regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, or socioeconomic status (34 C.F.R. Part 100, Appendix B, Section IV-A). No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives federal financial assistance, et seq (34 C.F.R. Part 104.4(a)(b).

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