MARION — Safety precautions due to the coronavirus pre-empted Tri-Rivers Career Center’s(TRCC) annual Exploring Careers Days hands-on event. The event is usually a two-day event during the school week where around 1,000 area sophomores are bussed from their high schools to visit three programs they are interested in exploring at the Career Center, said Courtney Murphy, Tri-Rivers admissions and career advisor.
Murphy usually visits sophomores in the Marion, Morrow and Union County Schools that are served by Tri-Rivers in the early fall. The students watch a video, hear from Mrs. Murphy and Tri-Rivers School Counselor Kirstin Large, as well as from current TRCC students. They then sign up for the three programs they want to visit for hands-on activities in late November. “Of course, with the pandemic we couldn’t do any of that. We really had to think outside of the box,” said Murphy.
“With the global pandemic, we were faced with the challenge to re-invent how we let students know about our 16 amazing programs at Tri-Rivers for the 2021-2022 School Year. In November we mailed an AMAZING box filled with information, including our course catalog, to all area sophomores,” said Ellen Messenger, director of communications. “We also encouraged them to visit Tri-Rivers website and experience our new Virtual Video.” https://onsceneinteractive.com/tours/TRIRIVERS/360/index.html
“The virtual video, which launched this week, is a digital alternative to touring our building,” said Messenger. “The new online recruitment virtual video moves at a brisk pace and includes a virtual tour of the entire building, concentrating on the program labs. It also has videos of alumni and student testimonials, information on our instructors, certifications, career pathways, a building map and more.”
“Our virtual video, along with assisting sophomores in their decision of which program to select for next year, is a great career exploration tool for students of all ages, said Murphy. “We hope 7th and 8th graders, as well as younger students, will take the opportunity to view our 360-video as part of their career development. The video makes you feel like you are traveling through the building. It’s not only informative, it is fun!”
Although most of Tri-Rivers programs are for students’ junior/senior years, Tri-Rivers does offer one program that students can join as a sophomore—Construction Trades Academy 10. “This program offers a great opportunity for students interested in Construction to get a head start on earning their certifications, prior to their junior/senior years.
Tri-Rivers also offers Nail Tech as a Senior Only program. Students can apply for these two programs online as well,” said Murphy.
“We encourage students to visit our website, take the Virtual Tour, and then fill in the online application for the program they select for next year— school year 2021-2022,” said Murphy.
If students have additional questions and want to visit a program lab, Tri-Rivers is offering two Saturday Exploring Careers Days on Jan. 9 and 23. There will be three 45-minute sessions each Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m. until noon. Registration is required and Murphy emphasizes they will follow all safety precautions, including limiting the number of participants per lab according to the size of the lab.
Tri-Rivers Director of Student Services, Sherrie Dunn, encourages students to apply early to get into the program of their choice. The priority deadline is February 15, 2021. If students have any questions about College Credit Plus, they can contact Tri-Rivers School Counselor Allisun Lauthers at 740-389-8508 or [email protected]
If students have questions about applying, they can connect with Mrs. Murphy at [email protected] Students can visit tririvers.com to apply, watch the virtual video, and register for the January Exploring Careers Days—Saturdays.
Students who are enrolled in any of the Career Center District Associate Schools — Cardington, Elgin, Highland, Marion Harding, Mount Gilead, North Union, Pleasant, Ridgedale, or River Valley, as well as home-schooled students — can enroll in Tri-Rivers’ career programs by meeting the criteria established for enrollment. Students may also directly open enroll from other school districts, as well as from Digital (Online) Academies.
