Is he successful? You decide...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hearing Tom Burden speak at the annual Ohio ACTE Connections to Education Conference. Tom Burden is from Celina, a graduate of Tri-Star Career Compact (CAD & Precision Machining), and a former F16 mechanic in the Air Force Reserve. Tom spent much of his talk crediting his teachers at the Career Center for inspiring him and giving him the skills to be an innovator. He also touched on the fact that back when he made the decision to attend Tri Star many people were shocked at his decision, often times asking "Aren't you going to go to college?" As if to say, he couldn't be successful if he chose to learn a skilled trade. To that question he would respond with the idea that he could do both. It didn't have to be an either, or decision. He would use his skilled training to advance his career! So is Tom successful? You decide...

After graduating from Celina and Tri Star, Tom joined the Air Force, which in turn gave him the opportunity to earn an engineering degree from the University of Toledo (debt free).

While working on aircraft, Tom became frustrated by his tools sliding off the surfaces he was working on and the time wasted searching for lost hardware, he began looking for a solution. With the skills gained at Tri Star and as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Toledo, Tom began prototyping a non-slip rubberized tool tray in his basement.

Three years later, he released the Grypmat, a non-slip, flexible tool mat that solves the problem of inefficient tool accessibility for mechanics and tinkerers alike.

To raise money for the Grypmat, Tom launched a wildly-popular Kickstarter campaign. In November of 2017, Tom appeared on the hit show Shark Tank and pitched in front of four Sharks, walking away with a $360,000 combo deal between Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, and Richard Branson.

Since premiering on SharkTank, Grypmat has increased its team and sales, and been named one of TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of the Year. Tom has also recently made it on to Forbes 30under30 list.

For too long in our American society we have pushed the idea that you must go to college to be successful. So much so that we ask high school graduates every year, "Where are you going to college?" The question we should really be asking is, "What career are you going to pursue? And what do you have to do to make that a reality?"

Every year at Vantage we see students using their skilled training to further their careers. They leave our halls and go on to careers, the military and college, or even apprenticeships that pay for college. All of these pathways lead to success, just as Tom Burden is living proof.

You can watch his Shark Tank experience by clicking on the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/utoledo/videos/ut-alum-presents-invention-on-shark-tank/10155123189939352/

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Have you ever been asked that question? I'm sure you have. I started to think about this question when my wife asked our 3 year old daughter what she wanted to be when she grows up. Without a second of hesitation she answered "I want to style people's hair." A month ago she said she wanted to be nurse, and I'm sure it will change several more times between now and when her professional career begins.

But that moment got me thinking about how each of us arrives at the decision of what we will do when we "grow up." How and when did you decide upon your career? 

I grew up on a grain and beef farm between Columbus Grove and Bluffton, Ohio. My brother and I had most of the same experiences growing up. We showed steers at the county fair, helped out with the grain operation, were both active in clubs and athletics, among other things. All these things helped my brother and I start to figure out what we wanted to do for a career. However, our paths were very different. From the time he was in the 7th grade, my brother knew he wanted to be veterinarian, and is a very successful one today. It took me a little longer, as I didn't decide on a career until I was 20 years old. 

In high school, I was pretty good in Math and Science and I really enjoyed my Industrial Tech and Drafting classes that I took. As a result, I started college to pursue a career in engineering. During my sophomore year of college two things happened that influenced my career path. First, I became a TA for intro level Calculus courses, and second, I worked as an engineering intern during the summer doing mostly CAD work. Through those two experiences I realized I loved teaching a lot more than I liked sitting in an office working on mechanical designs. From that point on my career focus was education. 

It doesn't really matter that I'm in education or my brother is a Vet. The point that is important however, is how we all arrive at what we want to do for a living. For most of us, we had to do job shadowing, work part-time jobs, take interesting elective courses and experience things to figure out what we really liked to do. THAT IS WHAT CAREER TECH IS! Instead of just learning about careers, CTE students across the country experience careers by actually doing them. This allows students the chance to figure out if a career is right for them, BEFORE they take on any student loan debt. 

As my own children "grow up" I hope each of them takes advantage of Career Tech classes to help them choose what they want to be.

Have you ever heard "Career-Tech is great...it's just not for my kid"?

If you have ever visited the new facility at Vantage Career Center, odds are you were probably blown away by the technology and equipment that our high school students are using to learn on a daily basis. Every time I give a tour to a visiting group it never fails, I will always hear how great our facility is, and how great of an opportunity Career-Tech Education (CTE) is for our students. However, there are still hundreds of students each year that choose not to participate in CTE classes. 

So what's the problem? Why are they not taking advantage of this great opportunity? For many parents, I think the idea of COLLEGE was drilled in our heads when we were younger and as a result, many adults still see CTE as a great opportunity for someone, just not for my kid, because he/she is going to college. Unfortunately, these misconceptions are hurting our young people today because they are missing opportunities that could lead them to their goals.

 

CTE is no longer just for students who are not going to college. Quite the contrary, students who graduate from CTE courses have the soft skills, technical skills and academic knowledge to be college AND career ready. As just a small example of the opportunities available to CTE students let's look at the picture above:

1. Matt has earned an apprenticeship as an Ohio Operators Engineer. If you don't know what that is you can go to the following website for more information (http://local18training.com/becoming-operating-engineer/), but to put our money where our mouth is, so to speak, after the four years of his apprenticeship, Matt will be making $35.89/hour.

2. Trevor will be a senior this year, taking College Credit Plus mathematics courses while learning CNC operations in our Precision Machining program.

3. Adam will be working as a machinist for Schnipke Precision Molding. If you're not sure what they do, check them out here: http://www.schnipke.com/capabilities/mold-design-fabrication

4. Connor and Sami both have earned an apprenticeship with GROB Systems which will pay for both of them to earn their college degree. FREE COLLEGE as a result of CTE!!! (https://www.grobgroup.com/en/career/your-route-to-grob/school-pupils/apprenticeship-program/)

So in the future if you ever hear someone say how great CTE is, it's just not for them or their kids, tell them they are right. CTE is just not for their student, IT'S FOR ALL STUDENTS!

What is Vantage?

What is Vantage?

Vantage Career Center is a leader in career technical education providing authentic, student-focused training that prepares high school students for employment and further education. We serve the school districts of Antwerp, Paulding, Wayne Trace, Crestview, Lincolnview, Van Wert, Parkway, Delphos Jefferson, Delphos St. John, Continental, Fort Jennings, Ottoville and Kalida.

As I take over as High School Director, I consider it a privilege and a responsibility to make sure Vantage continues to be a leader in our industry. We will prepare our students for success and develop their unique talents and skills. Our strong community of students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni have always been, and will continue to be a part of our successes.

Our focus at Vantage will always be career, college or military placement for all of our students upon graduation. Everything we do on a daily basis supports this goal.

As a stakeholder in the future of Vantage Career Center, I look forward to serving you as the High School Director. Thank you for choosing Vantage!

Get the Edge!

Mike Knott
High School Director