DCIT students celebrate Technical Education month
In February, Career and Technical Education Month is celebrated nationally. During this month, the Darlington County Institute of Technology held a variety of events, which included providing community service, participating in competitions, and inviting others to learn about careers. The first and largest of those events was the semi-annual Interactive Career Fair.
On Friday, February 9, tenth graders from Darlington and Lamar high schools got a taste of the future at the Darlington County Institute of Technology (DCIT) Interactive Career Fair. Among the individuals sharing their expertise with students were post-secondary instructors, a machinist, military personnel, a public information specialist, an agriculture agent, and various health care professionals. These volunteers described their jobs, education and skills needed to obtain those jobs as well as the career outlook.
The individual presenters were clustered into groups: agri-science, engineering, medical science, arts and media communications, business and education, government and human services. Organizers tried to match students with presenters related to their primary interests. The semi-annual fair is part of the Personal Pathways to Success Program, a statewide initiative to expose students to career opportunities and prepare them for life after high school. Students also toured the school and received information about the courses available there. The Darlington County Institute of Technology serves students from Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar, and Mayo High schools.
Student organizations were also busy this month. Members of DECA, the Marketing student organization took their online test for the state competitive events and prepared for the role-play portion of their competition. HOSA, the student organization for Health Science students held a blood drive. Health science students also prepared for state competition and began clinical rotations at various health facilities throughout Darlington County. In conjunction with Girls’ University and several other agencies, the Darlington County Institute of Technology hosted Introduce a Girl to Engineering sessions on February 22. Welding students competed in the American Welding Society (AWS) competition on February 23.