Aberdeen area students got hands on experience in high demand career fields at a 3M camp Tuesday.
Kellie Ecker, Executive Director of The Training Place, formerly known as NewTec, says there are a lot of job openings in Aberdeen.
“There are, I think the last time I heard over a thousand jobs out there,” Ecker says. “Which is really great because there’s a lot of different opportunities for our students, for people coming into Aberdeen, for the individuals who are here in Aberdeen as well.”
But Ecker says in order for students to make career choices, they have to know what’s available. That’s why her organization partnered with 3M and Lake Area Technical Institute to showcase careers in robotics, energy, and precision machining.
At the machining station, students are learning about a computer program used to operate an engraver. For Aberdeen Central senior Dylan Ireland, the day is confirmation of his post-graduation plans. He’s already accepted into Lake Area Tech.
“It’s what I’ve been doing all year and I’m ready to go start making race motors and stuff with my schooling. So I’m kind of excited,” Ireland says.
Langford Freshman Julia Swenson is still figuring out what she’s interested in.
“Just kind of exploring different things, you know,” Swenson says.
Swenson is keeping her options open, although she enjoys working with the 3D printer.
“That was pretty cool, how they could make anything you wanted basically,” Swenson says.
Event organizers say introducing students to new things, like that 3D printer, helps them discover careers they’ve never even known existed. And organizers hope to show students that many of those careers are right here in South Dakota.