This summer high school students can climb inside an ambulance, discover how to use a fire hose or operate a lathe during hands-on career explorations camps at College of the Mainland.

Demonstrating jobs and the skills they need to succeed, COM offers three summer camps: Industrial Trades Career Exploration Camp, the Public Service, Cosmetology and Child Development Career Exploration Camp, and the Nursing and Allied Health Career Exploration Camp.
 
All three camps will run four days, Monday through Thursday, with tuition at $75 per camp.  

“These camps are designed for the students to be immersed in the careers supported by COM degree or certificate programs. The point is not to lecture but to ‘touch and do,’” said Laura Baumgartner, COM Director of Continuing Education Industrial Workforce.  

The Industrial Trades Career Exploration Camp (June 15-18, 8 a.m. to noon) will dive into welding, air-conditioning and heating, mechanical maintenance, machining, and process technology careers that are all in high demand. Students will work in a machine shop, turning on equipment and working with hand and power tools.

The Public Service, Cosmetology and Child Development Career Exploration Camp (June 22-25, 8 a.m. to noon) will demonstrate how professionals serve each day. Jobs include emergency medical technicians, police officers, cosmetologists, child care professionals and firefighters. Students will discover what equipment is needed to fight fires or respond to emergencies.

The Nursing and Allied Health Career Exploration Camp (June 15-18, 8 a.m. to noon) offers a peek into the fast-paced world of health care, including nursing, phlebotomy, medical assistant and physical therapy aide careers. Students will gain hands-on practice in taking blood pressure and heart rate and discover which branch of health care may best fit their skills.

In all three camps, students will learn about multiple careers as well as the hiring demands and salaries for each career.

Each camp will also explain how to prepare now for college, complete a college application, apply for financial aid and learn what other financial resources are available for students.

“Students will walk away feeling more confident when making the biggest decision ever - what am I going to do when I grow up?” said Baumgartner. “COM provides both degree and certificate programs that prepare the students for the job of their choice.”   

Students may be incoming high school freshman to current exiting seniors. Camps are limited to 12 participants each.

For details or to register, contact the Continuing Education Department at  409-933-8586 or visit www.com.edu/ce.