What’s recently happened?
The Hammond Area Career Center (ACC) strives for great things in its Radio/TV program. This program allows for students to gain hands-on experience with actual field equipment. Recently, the Radio/TV class got a makeover for its studio. During the construction process, the students have used the time to build their audio skills and build upon the visual skills they already have.
Students have been working hard to build their portfolios. All of the students at the ACC had the opportunity to go through mock job interviews and meet with professionals in their field to have a better understanding as to what to expect.
The students made resumes with their ACC experience and had the opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned thus far. Students walked into the mock interviews expecting to be graded on things like professionalism and their ability to direct the interview in the direction they were most confident. Not only did they leave with valued feedback, but they left knowing what to expect in the industry. The Radio/TV students interviewed for jobs such as directing, editing, and production assistant and had to explain why they had the skills that these positions valued.
What’s coming up?
The Radio/TV students are preparing for the state SkillsUSA competition coming up April 8-9. The Radio/TV students are currently working on their audio production skills, which will be greatly beneficial when the time comes to host their radio show.
In this class, students have the opportunity to learn editing skills and how to direct a news production or a radio podcast. At the end of the semester, qualifying students will have the opportunity to get their Adobe Premiere certification.
This certification tests them on their ability to manage time and ability to edit video and audio. To qualify for this certification, students must be a current senior and maintain a C or better in the class. Students can be first or second-year students to sit for certification as long as they are a senior. This is one of the long-term goals the Radio/TV students look forward to.
Students use the hands-on time to fine-tune their skills and get comfortable with the editing software. Students work with Adobe on an almost daily basis throughout the year. If the students are not in class listening to a lecture and taking notes, you will find them lined up at their computers, exploring deeper into their Adobe accounts.
Staff spotlight
Lauren Dado is the Hammond ACC principal as well as the career and technical education (CTE) instructor. Dado is the link between the state and most of the Northwest Indiana high school CTE programs. Before Dado entered this position, she was the assistant principal at George Rogers Clark Middle School/High School. When Hammond consolidated its schools into just Hammond Central, Dado took on this position at the ACC. Dado entered into her position right at the beginning of the pandemic, and although it was not the start anyone hoped for, Dado handled it well.
“I came in and a week later we were virtual,” Dado said, “We were virtual for the rest of the year, and then last year we ran as normal as we could during a pandemic. Now, we're here.”
Often, you will see Dado passing through classrooms to see what all of her students are currently working on. Dado enjoys seeing the students get hands-on training from hired field professionals and build field-specific knowledge they likely wouldn't experience otherwise.
“I am happy students still get hands-on time in the pandemic,“ Dado said. “There are times we have to switch to e-learning, but for the most part, our students are still getting all the same skills they were getting before the pandemic. That is really important.”
Student spotlight
DeJuan Player is a senior at Whiting High School and current second-year student in the Radio/TV program at the Hammond ACC. The morning class for Radio/TV only has two second-year students. Even though the class size is small, they still work hard on the projects they have.
Second-year students like Player have a bit more freedom in what projects they do. They still have standards to meet, but in between those projects, the second-year students get to spend more time doing the things they enjoy most. For Player, editing is his favorite part of the class. Player plans on keeping up with the skills he has already acquired and wants to study physical therapy in college.
Though Player does not plan on majoring in anything related to communications, he hopes to still continue doing what he enjoys.
“I’ll probably spend some time on YouTube and be one of those video-making channels and maybe I’ll make something bigger for a production business,” Player said.