Snack & Learns offer virtual interaction with professionals in industry and higher education
The Consortium’s Snack & Learn series continues next month with four more presentations, following a January line-up that included Duquesne Light Co., Elliott Group and Waynesburg University. Students and educators must register online for any of the upcoming sessions.
On the agenda for February are presentations from the German American Chamber of Commerce (GACC); local tech entrepreneur, John Rattray; Schell Games and Duquesne Light. 
The series kicked off in the fall to provide virtual opportunities to help students explore careers or learn about post-secondary education and training options. It also affords educators the chance to learn about the job market their students will be entering and get information needed to provide support. Our upcoming sessions include:
- February 3, beginning at 11 a.m., GACC is expected to discuss the apprenticeships it organizes for member companies. These programs provide on-the-job training for occupations ranging from polymer technicians to electrical and mechanical technicians.
- February 9, beginning at 1 p.m., Rattray will talk about launching a business.
- February 18, at 11 a.m., Duquesne Light will present on its EDT Boot Camp for high school students. The Boot Camp helps students build skills and find out if they might be candidates for the Electrical Distribution Technology (EDT) program the company offers in collaboration with Community College of Allegheny County.
- February 24, beginning at 11 a.m., Schell Games winds up the month presenting on workplace expectations.
“We aim for variety,” said Program Director Gina Barrett, who organizes the Snack & Learn sessions. “Even before the pandemic, it wasn’t always possible for students to find opportunities to interact with professionals directly and ask questions about careers or the different kinds of post-secondary training they might pursue.”
Since the outset of COVID-19, it’s been difficult for some students even to find ways of meeting state standards associated with career learning. The Consortium designed the series to provide opportunities that enable students to do so, sometimes with help from educators who can augment the presentations with assignments, such as reflective writing.
Earlier this month, a presentation from Duquesne Light afforded students an opportunity to learn about careers in the electric utility industry and about a training program for Electrical Distribution Technicians that the company offers in collaboration with Community College of Allegheny County.
In addition, Elliott Group offered a January presentation on manufacturing careers and a representative from Waynesburg College talked about applying to colleges amid COVID-19.
