Worcester County students diving into different career paths during summer camp

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md.- Worcester Tech High School Student, Jazmin Bright, is a returning member of the Skilled Trades, Agriculture, Tourism and Technology Camp, also known as S.T.A.T.T. Bright is an upcoming senior with plans to become a veterinarian and this program has helped her prepare.

“All of these programs you’re never sitting still, you’re always moving, you’re always doing something, it may be challenging but at the end of the day if it’s something you want to do then you do it,” Bright said.

S.T.A.T.T started in the summer of 2021 with 54 students, allowing rising 8th graders to 12th grade in Worcester County, to learn different career paths. But, this year it expanded. “At that time, it was pretty much geared towards stem academies and this year we opened it to trades, agriculture, and tourism and now we have 116 students enrolled with 4 weeks in two sessions and 9 pathways,” Aarti Sangwan, a teacher at Worcester Tech High School, said.

For Pocomoke Middle School Student, Caitlyn McQuaid, it’s sparked new interests. “I think its an amazing way to learn new things like ive never welded before,” McQuaid said. “And, I’ve never done forensics before and I just got to solve three murders.”

But, it’s also allowed her to gain more experience in a field she dreams of being in one day. “I wanna be a vet when I grow up and I want to start my own clinic, which will definitely need a good college application,” McQuaid said. “I’m going to need a good resume if I’m going to buy a building, I’m going to need good business skills and this teaches all of it.”

And, we’re told while S.T.A.T.T brings the hands on experience to kids, it’s also a boost for the area. “Many of our teachers have their professional advisory committees where all the local businesses are part of those committees and they get to interact, they get to see the students,” Sangwan said. “Students get to know what all an industry can offer up here on the Eastern Shore.”

The STATT program is sponsored by the Worcester County Commissioners and Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund.