Springdale Students Learn From Industry Professionals

SPRINGDALE -- Students gathered Wednesday to learn about career options in the architecture and construction fields.

The presentations are part of the Real World Wednesdays event at the School of Innovation. The school is new in the Springdale School District and allows students to graduate with an associate's degree as well as their high school diploma.

The event happens from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday, said Wendy Kelley, business teacher and coordinator of Real World Wednesdays. Each week, the focus is on a different industry. Professionals in those industries teach the students about career options.

The program gives them a clear vision of what their path can be, said Joe Rollins, principal.

A professional brought a surgical robot with him to last week's presentation, Rollins said. Students got to touch and learn about the device. Several students told him they want to work in the medical field because of what they learned that day.

"We're trying to turn school into what it can be and what it should be," he said.

Clay Kilmer, 14, sat in a classroom Wednesday listening to Eric Specking of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering. When he asked the class what their dream careers are, Clay raised his hand and said "head of story development at Pixar."

It helps to learn the details of what it takes to become a professional in different career fields, Clay said.

"By the end of the year, I'll have this whole slew of choices," he said.

Real World Wednesday is also helpful to professionals, because companies are looking for people to employ or place in internships in the future, Rollins said. Each student at the school must complete an internship before they graduate.

Scott Barrows, chief operating officer at Multi-Craft Contractors, spoke to students about his company Wednesday. He showed students a video about the company and explained the different types of education needed for different jobs. He said many of the trades are "skill specific," such as welding or using drafting software.

There's a need in the construction industry for skilled laborers, said Barrow after his presentation. He also said his company offers internships to students.

Students also go on field trips as part Real World Wednesdays, Kelley said. Students will be visiting Multi-Craft next Wednesday.

Students have to research the career fields before the events, which will culminate in a final assessment in her career development class at the end of the year, Kelley said. Students will choose a career field and be interviewed by a professional in that industry.