Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 6/7/2023
AGAWAM — Ailany Batista wanted to learn how to upgrade her computer so she could play better games. When she discovered there was a program at Agawam High School that could help her do that, she enrolled in it.
“I also discovered that I love working with computers and now my little hobby has become what I hope will be a career in the information technology field,” said Batista. She is among 14 students at the school who are the first to complete the early career program that prepares them for work or a profession.
All graduating seniors, they were honored at a May 19 appreciation breakfast along with Agawam High School teachers and mentors from local businesses that provided student internships. Students took one of three “innovative career pathway” programs designed to help them learn more about careers they may be interested in pursuing. They take the programs in addition to their regular academic studies — getting hands-on and real-world experience.
Students had to complete 100 hours of a “career immersion experience” in an internship that provided structured work readiness activities and work-based learning experiences. This allowed them to build partnerships with local employers, giving them knowledge in specific career fields.
In the information technology pathway, Batista learned about personal computer hardware and software, networking, and cybersecurity. She was exposed to tools, machines, materials, the process of building computers, installing operating systems and how to create a network of computers.
Batista also learned about the network capabilities of servers, email, wireless access points, network drives, setting up public networks with software (routers and switches) and gained knowledge about cybersecurity and cyber safety skills to reduce the risk of data vulnerability and loss.
Lisa Sheehan, who coordinates the pathway program, said it was launched four years ago with the advanced manufacturing and engineering pathway. The school has since added the IT and healthcare and social assistance pathways. Agawam is one of 78 high schools offering pathway programs certified by the state Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.
“These programs bridge the gap between students who may or may not attend college and those who want to immediately go into work in a skilled profession without going to college. Students gain experience in a career field they can pursue after high school,” said Sheehan.
“I’m so happy I took this program. I can use this knowledge and apply it to real world situations, even outside the IT field,” Batista said.
The IT pathway was the most popular, with Batista and six other students — Murphy Estes, Huzaifa Kiani, Taha Kiani, Ethyn Watt, Jacob Barber and Aidan Noftall — taking it. Five students — Julianne Bazanchuk, Jazmin Dunbar. Christopher Rondinelli, Leniah Ruiz and Hannah Manning — enrolled in the healthcare program.
The healthcare and social assistance pathway orients students to the healthcare industry and helps refine their healthcare-related knowledge and skills. Among topics covered are an overview of healthcare delivery; patient care, including assessment of vital signs, body mechanics, anatomy and physiology; identification and use of medical equipment and supplies; medical terminology and ethical and legal responsibilities.
Anatomy, exploration to healthcare occupations or biology are required classes along with two advanced classes. Additionally, students can tour facilities, including Springfield Technical Community College’s Health Simulation Lab, and hear from guest speakers in the healthcare industry.
Ruiz knew she wanted to work in health care, but wasn’t sure what area until she took the pathway program.
“Going through it helped me figure out exactly what I wanted to do. Trying different internships, such as STCC’s EMT program, helped me decide to go into pediatric nursing,” said Ruiz. She will enter a four-year nursing degree program at Elms College this fall.
“Just being able to get into the healthcare pathway and see how hands on it is and try new and different things, was a big help,” she said. “With the experience I got in high school, I will be ahead of other students entering Elms.”
The two students who took the advanced engineering and manufacturing pathway — Anthony Elias and Kaden Sheehan — were offered jobs with Agawam companies. Sheehan — no relation to Lisa Sheehan — accepted a position as a computer numerical control machine operator at a Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions facility that makes precision machine components for the aerospace and defense industry.
This pathway introduces students to mechanical engineering, material processing and manufacturing. In addition to doing an internship, students must take two of three technical classes — computer integrated machining, introduction to machine engineering technology or computer aided design — and two advanced courses, such as honors statistics or honors physics.
Elias, who is headed to the University of Rhode Island to study mechanical engineering, was offered a summer engineering intern position at Governors America Corp., which makes engine control systems.
His father owns a machine shop, so Elias was around manufacturing growing up and knew he wanted some type of manufacturing career.
“When I heard about the manufacturing pathway, I knew it’d be a great way to learn as much as I could at an earlier age,” he said.
Elias said the program met all his expectations. “It gave me a wide variety of knowledge and skills I need to be successful in my internship and now I have some hands-on experience in the manufacturing field. It also confirmed my desire to go into manufacturing, but more on the engineering side,” he said.
His career goal is to work in the automotive industry developing engines so he can help develop cleaner and more fuel-efficient internal combustion engines to compete against electric vehicles.
Companies participating in the pathway program include Entre’ Technologies, Whalley Computer, Paragus Strategic IT, Agawam High School’s IT department, Cadrex, Governors America Corp., Baystate Health, STCC, Genesis Healthcare, Resilience PT and CVS Pharmacy.