By Mary Massey
Early College Opportunities High School students joined students from around the city who were invited Sept. 19 to the Santa Fe Community College and the Institute of American Indian Arts campuses for a joint open house.
The annual event allows students to learn first hand about the wide range of career pathways available to them from trades and medical programs to design arts, fine arts, film, photography and culinary arts.
After touring the SFCC campus, Aedonas Marquez, ECO freshman, said, “It’s pretty cool. It’s a lot bigger than I thought. There are a lot of interesting programs.”
As an early college high school, ECO partners with SFCC and IAIA to offer a vast array of dual credit classes where students simultaneously earn college and high school credit. According to SFCC’s website, studies show that dual credit increases the likelihood that a student will complete high school and enroll and persist in college. This fall about 51 percent of ECO students are enrolled in dual credit classes at SFCC and are expected to earn 313 credits.
ECO also offers students the opportunity to earn industry certificates in high demand occupations. Dual credit and certificates allow students to enter the workforce sooner and begin to earn wages, benefiting themselves and the economy, according to the SFCC website.
Daniel Lopez, junior, is interested in pursuing a career in automotive. He was intrigued with the demonstration of a forge where the instructor explained how a forge could be used to make tools for an auto shop for a fraction of the cost.
The college field trips, Lopez said, were a good experience. “I’ve never seen a lot of this before,” he added.
In addition to trades, there were many displays, demonstrations and tours related to a variety of careers. After a tour of the film department, Marquez said, “I feel I can see myself going into film for cinematography. It’s always been something that interests me.”
Several students lined up to have their photos taken using tintype photography, a type of vintage photographic art. One of those was senior Amarie Estrada, who said it was very interesting to have her photo taken and watch it develop in the sun right before her eyes. Estrada, who plans a career in medicine, enjoyed the trip, saying, ”It’s cool to see a bunch of stuff they have here.”
Luis Molina, freshman, agreed. He spoke to people in the art gallery and was drawn to the artwork of George Rodrigue and how the artist incorporates different color dogs in his art. “It was nice meeting these people and to explore the campus,” he said.
Marissa Campos, ECO’s art, design and architecture pathway teacher, said she organized the trip to allow students to have a better understanding of what programs are available at both colleges. Transportation is provided each year by the SFPS arts department.
Campos added that 100 percent of students in her design arts classes earn college credit through IAIA. It was a good opportunity to visit IAIA in person because most of her students never step foot on the campus.
After the trip to both campuses, Campos said one of the benefits is exposing students to what SFCC has to offer and reminding them that they can take classes for free. She added, “It was a great field trip. They love it!”
For more information on dual credit and industry certifications, contact Diane Pierce, ECO Community Liaison, dpierce@sfps.k12.nm.us, 505-467-2704.