O’NEILL, Neb. – Northeast Community College in O’Neill hosted approximately 229 high school students from 10 schools recently.
The day was designed to allow the students an opportunity to explore some programs of study at Northeast and learn about Northeast’s Early College offerings at its extended campus in the Holt County community.
Early College provides a mechanism for students to take college courses and earn college credits while in high school, through a cooperative program, formalized with a written contract, between Northeast and participating area high school districts in the Northeast service region.
The event is a great way for high school students to gain a brief exposure to a diverse range of programs at Northeast that they might not have considered previously.
The college’s Fridays @ Northeast students helped with the activities during the sessions, and answered questions about what it is like to be a Fridays @ Northeast student at the O’Neill Extended Campus. It is intended to be a fun day with a laid-back atmosphere for all who attend.
Approximately 30 Northeast faculty and staff members conducted 11 breakouts for the students such as one on Criminal Justice.
Matt McCarthy, Criminal Justice instructor, allowed students to perform an eyewitness identification of a possible “suspect” that encouraged students to be more aware of their surroundings.
Dr. Anna McCracken and Dr. Kelly Darner-Rasmussen led a session on Veterinary Technology where students were encouraged to do hands-on activities with fetal pigs used in the Fridays @ Northeast General Biology class, as well as a swine production model.
Other sessions focused on building construction, EMT and paramedic, health information management systems, media arts, nurse aid and medication aide, physical therapist assistant and welding.
Each student had the opportunity to attend four of the 11 sessions.
Students represented Bloomfield, Chambers, O’Neill St. Mary’s, Rock County, Stuart, Summerland, West Holt, Wheeler Central, Neligh-Oakdale and Word of Life high schools.
“We look forward to our Fridays students being here throughout the school year, and are always happy to share information about the career exploration that is available for students close to home,” said Merri Schneider, director of Extended Campus, O’Neill. “We appreciate the support of the schools who allow their students to participate in these events! The feedback we receive allows us to continue to improve on this event year after year.”
Representatives of the schools were appreciative as well for the exposure for their students.
“This was a great way to introduce students to career options that they may not know about and to share information about college without traveling a great distance for a college visit! I highly recommend it,” said Emily Wlaschin, Word of Life School – O’Neill.
Cutline O’Neill Career Day
Addy Shald, O’Neill St. Mary’s, listens to the heart of an infant mannequin. (Katie Towler Photography)