Episode 5 – “Lights, Camera, Careers” with Justin Siler

With the proliferation of movies and TV series, studios are turning from Hollywood to the heartland. This means filming in different locations and using a different workforce.

We speak with Justin Siler, adult and career development coordinator at CareerTech, about what his division is doing to prepare Oklahoma’s workforce for the big screen.

You can view a video of this conversation here:

 

Episode 4 – “All The Trades, Under One Roof” with John Day

From welding to carpentry, from plumbing to electrical work, trade and industrial education is one of the most diverse divisions at Oklahoma CareerTech.

Until recently, that division was led by John Day, who joined us in the studio to give an overview of this wide-reaching division, as well as his insight on where it goes from here.

You can view a video of our conversation here:

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Episode 1 – “A Time Of Transition” with Dr. Lee Denney

How do you lead in a time of transition?

CareerTech’s Interim State Director Dr. Lee Denney sat down with Russell Ray to tell us about her unique role at the agency.

She also shares her thoughts about the CareerTech student organizations and the many ways the system delivers on its promises to students and businesses across the state.

You can view the video version of this conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIRLsErd3e8

 

TRAILER — CTH 2-1: “Challenges and Opportunities”

Host and producer Blane Singletary on the set of CareerTech Horizon

Head over to our Facebook or Twitter to see the video version of this trailer!

In the lead-up to CareerTech Horizon’s Season 2 debut, producer Blane Singletary takes you behind the scenes, onto the set of the show, to talk about how the pandemic changed the way the shows were put together.

We also talk about our next episode about how Oklahoma’s agriculture industry went through its own trials, as many in the state faced a food shortage. Through these difficult times, however, new opportunities have emerged, and a variety of jobs are available for those willing to step up.

Subscribe to the show with your favorite podcast app or platform. Or, ask your smart speaker to “Play CareerTech Horizon.”

 

CareerTech Horizon 1-10: “Showing You Care”

medical students tend to a mannequin to learn proper patient care

2020 has been called a lot of things, and most of them aren’t very nice. But at least one positive situation has emerged from this challenging year – a profound appreciation of our frontline health care workers.

As COVID-19 fills hospitals with critically ill patients, nursing homes battle the virus among its patients and staff, and front line nurses give countless COVID tests and now…vaccines…now, more than ever, Oklahomans owe a debt of gratitude to workers in the health care industry and those who train health care workers.

In this season finale episode:

  • We talk about the worldwide nursing shortage and its effect on Oklahoma’s health care system.
  • Connie Romans tells us about a generous gift from a CareerTech grad that’s benefitting health care educators and students across the state.
  • We hear about some of the challenges of training students for health careers – in the middle of a pandemic.
  • We’re reminded that men and women can follow whatever career path they choose…especially in health care!

You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, TuneIn, Stitcher, or ask your smart speaker to “Play CareerTech Horizon.”

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @CT_Horizon, or on Facebook to stay up to date with this ongoing project. Visit our website for show notes, episode trailers, and bonus content “Beyond Your Horizon” at http://cthorizon.org

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CareerTech Horizon 1-9: “Power Up!”

student stands in a classroom filled with energy training equipment explaining how career has changed her life

Francis Tuttle Tech Center Student Toni Lochrie talks about how she found a new career and new purpose in the energy industry.

When is the last time you thought about what goes into keeping power going to your home, uninterrupted?

Oklahoma’s thriving and evolving energy industry can be found in many forms. Whether it’s oil, gas, hydroelectricric, wind, or solar energy, careers in this field can be lucrative and rewarding, but with a growing gap for skilled labor around the state, energy leaders hope more students sign on to technical programs to keep things going.

In this episode:

  • We travel the state to hear from energy leaders on the challenges they are facing, and the new programs in place to help alleviate the energy skills gap.
  • We profile two students from very different backgrounds, and who are training for two very different jobs, but are ultimately working for the same goal.
  • We climb hundreds of feet to get a good view of the wind energy industry, and learn about the technical and safety demands of the job.
  • Listen in on a panel discussion, as Oklahoma’s energy experts discuss what the industry will change in the coming years, while other parts stay the same.

You can follow us on Twitter @CT_Horizon, or find us on Facebook.

You can also visit our website, cthorizon.org, for show notes, discussion and bonus content, “Beyond Your Horizon.”

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CareerTech Horizon 1-8: “Back In the Swing of Things”

a student works on a machining project in the classroom. Everyone is wearing a facemask

Has the time come for you to transition back to your normal life? Does the uncertainty of going back to school or work amidst a pandemic give you stress and anxiety?

In this episode, CareerTech Horizon takes you inside one technology center to see how they navigated their reopening with a new program for students and plenty of guidelines to keep everyone safe.

  • At Tri County Tech in Bartlesville, we take a look at the newly revamped “Skills To Rebuild” program, designed to train students quickly for new careers in the areas hardest hit by the pandemic.
  • We sit down with Tri County Tech’s CEO and Superintendent Lindel Fields and ask about how the tech center approached the shutdown and the reopening, and what this means for the future of education.
  • Finally, we call up CareerTech’s own Dr. Steven Aragon, a cognitive psychologist who has some advice on how to navigate these uncertain times with your family.

You can follow us on Twitter @CT_Horizon, or find us on Facebook.

You can also visit our website, cthorizon.org, for show notes, discussion and bonus content, “Beyond Your Horizon.”

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CareerTech Horizon 1-5: “Growing Partnerships”

How did you learn the skills you have now?

Are the skills you know still relevant today? Will they remain relevant in the future?

In this episode, we examine the growing partnerships between industry and education. We’ll dive into what businesses are doing to keep instructors on the same page, and how these instructors use that knowledge to cultivate the workforce they’ll be hiring from.

  • American Airlines donates one of its passenger jets to CareerTech, so students in their aviation programs can work hands-on with real aircraft.
  • A summer camp for teachers brings educators behind the scenes at businesses their students may one day work for.
  • “Futuring Panels” facilitate conversation on where the industry is heading, and how educators can keep up.

You can follow us on Twitter @CT_Horizon, or find us on Facebook.

You can also visit our website, cthorizon.org for show notes, discussion, and bonus content, “Beyond Your Horizon.”

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CareerTech Horizon 1-4: “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders”

What does it take to be a leader?

In today’s episode, host Blane Singletary dives into seven student organizations centered around technical education and the major benefits they provide to their members.

We’ll sit down with the leaders of those organizations, and find out how they see their roles within their teams evolve over time, and their reasons for becoming CareerTech students.

You can follow us on Twitter @CT_Horizon, or find us on Facebook.

You can also visit our website, cthorizon.org for show notes, and soon, bonus content, “Beyond Your Horizon.”

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TRAILER – CTH 1-3: “On The Wings Of A Dream”

Legendary pilot Amelia Earhart once said, “There’s more to life than being a passenger.” In a time where men ruled the skies, Earhart courageously followed her dreams into the cockpit.

Today, 80 years after her disappearance, women are still following her contrails.

Next week on CareerTech Horizon, we bring you the stories of Oklahoma women who took their lives into the skies.

Subscribe today to be ready for liftoff on this episode, launching Thursday, December 19th.