If you are a Junior or Senior in high school, take a moment to answer this question: What did you do last week in school?
At Florida Panhandle Technical College in downtown Chipley, Florida, dual-enrolled students in the Digital Video Technology class wrote, shot and edited a music video.
They also designed and set up a PA system for a local special event, shot photos and video clips of student activity on the FPTC campus, prepared for the FPTC Radio Morning Show, flew drones over downtown Chipley, recorded a vocalist in preparation for designing and producing a CD, and prepared a script for a :30 second video project.
More importantly, this did not cost these students or their parents a single dollar.
Did you know that Junior and Seniors in local High Schools can attend Florida Panhandle Technical College in downtown Chipley, Florida at absolutely no cost to themselves or their parents, as a dual-enrolled student, and become certified in a variety of career path areas before even graduating high school?
If not, don’t feel badly, because you are not alone.
‘We are one of the best-kept secrets in Northwest Florida’, says FPTC Instructor Paul Goulding, ‘and that is not a good thing’.
Goulding, who instructs classes on drone technology, photography, audio and video production, radio and television production as well as broadcast and social media has been making the rounds of local high schools, getting the word out to students and parents that the opportunity to obtain certification in any of these areas is possible while still in high school.
‘There are over 35 degree and certification programs available here on this campus’, says Goulding, ‘and whether you are interested in welding, cosmetology, automotive, law enforcement and corrections, pharmacy tech, cyber security, carpentry, video, photography, heavy equipment repair, public safety, truck driving, electrical, digital media, drones, nursing or drafting, we have something for you’.
Florida Panhandle Technical College is participating, along with just about every other college in this region, including Florida and Alabama, in a Washington County School District-sanctioned Career Fair, on Monday, September 30, 2019, from 6-8PM, at the Washington County Ag Center,
Ciara Jones, new Career Counselor for Washington County School District, recently visited the FPTC campus to tape a segment of the college TV show, along with Superintendent of Schools Joe Taylor, to discuss her new position and the upcoming career symposium, as seen here:
‘We have been talking to anyone who will listen for a very long time about these offerings’, says Martha Compton, Director of Florida Panhandle Technical College, ‘and with Ms. Jones’ assistance, we will be making progress in reaching our local high school students with this information’.
‘We believe that reaching Middle School students before they make life-altering career decisions is also important’, says Ciara Jones, ‘and part of our effort will be to reach those students and parents as well, over time’.
‘If you are an Adult, or High School Student interested in a career in Television or Video Production, Audio Production, Radio or Music Recording, Photography or Drone Technology, check out the NEW Digital Video Technology Program at Florida Panhandle Technical College in downtown Chipley, Florida’, says Goulding, ‘and if your interests lie in other areas, chances are that we have a program just right for you, and at a really right price, especially if your are in high school’.
‘Just because these programs are offered at no cost to the student does not meant that there is no cost associated with them’, says Goulding, ‘and that expense is borne by the School,District, and ultimately the tax payer, so we are serious about attracting students who are serious about their future’.
If you are interested in a career, instead of just settling for a job, call 850-638-1180 (extension 317) for more information, or visit FPTC Student Services at 757 Hoyt Street or visit us online at www.FPTC.edu.
