Cape May County Middle School Students Learn About Exciting Careers at Atlantic Cape’s Exploration Day

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Atlantic Cape Community College’s Cape May County campus hosted nearly 100 seventh and eighth grade students from Middle Township and Dennis Township middle schools on October 11 as part of the Early College Program's Middle School Career Exploration Day.

During their opening remarks, with a lecture hall full of students intently listening, Atlantic Cape’s Aviation Operations Assistant Professor and Chair Tim Cwik, and Career Services & Experienced-based Learning Manager Marian Woodson, implored the students to “learn about different possibilities,” “ask questions,” “think of your interests,” “what you enjoy,” “what motivates you,” and to strive to “love what you do, do what you love.”

Atlantic Cape professors from a multitude of academic backgrounds, along with staff members from the Cape May County Park & Zoo, held four, 30-minute workshop sessions that gave all of the students in attendance a glimpse into the day-to-day experiences that each profession entails.

Science Laboratories Director Dr. Terri-Lynn Hamby took her groups on a nature walk along the paved trail that meanders the woods behind the campus. They examined the local plant life, explored the nearby ponds in search of native aquatic wildlife, and came close with several baby tree frogs, who inhabit the ponds and enjoy resting on lily pads and leaves.

Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Chris Carbone introduced the fascinating world of the tiny organisms that live in our ponds by viewing test samples of the pond water under powerful microscopes. Here, each student could visualize the various creatures’ shapes and movements. Dr. Carbone also quizzed the students on what types of pollution they feel may pose a danger to our fragile aquatic ecosystems.

Atlantic Cape’s Cape May County Campus Director Krista McConnell spoke of the importance of this event for both the College and the County’s middle school students, who will soon make a difference in the real world.

“Career Exploration Day is a great way to introduce Cape May County seventh and eighth graders to the many exciting careers that are available to them. It is important they know they can accomplish anything they want to if they work hard enough for it,” said McConnell. “And, introducing these students to Atlantic Cape’s knowledgeable and experienced professors, and the many academic pathways we provide, is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the College and this campus to them.”

Nursing Simulation and Skills Lab Assistant Director Lawrencia Nnadi conducted a simulation lab session where she introduced students to the technique of taking a patient’s blood pressure and pulse, measuring their breathing and heart rate, and taking their temperature with modern technological equipment for quicker and more accurate assessments.

CISM Professor Dr. Bojan Zilovic introduced the fascinating world of cryptography through the utilization of the ancient Caesar cipher, which was developed more than 2,000 years ago by Julius Caesar as a way to send coded messages to his troops, and a Mexican Army cipher. The students in this session learned to use these ciphers and create/break coded messages.

For those students interested in the dynamics of manned and unmanned air travel, Assistant Professor Anthony Esposito demonstrated the capabilities of unmanned drone flight and the exciting new careers that are being created. Cwik, meanwhile, dug deep into the aerodynamics of aircraft by making paper airplanes and focusing on the four key aspects required for flight: lift, weight, thrust and drag.

Academy of Culinary Arts Chef Educator Annmarie Chelius and two of her culinary students had the sweet task of showing the students how to properly decorate Halloween cookies. Associate Professor Dr. Karl Giulian conducted a workshop on the fundamentals of the business world from becoming an entrepreneur, working in marketing, finance or management. Professor Melissa Palmer guided students through the creative dynamic of choosing the correct words to express oneself and develop intriguing storytelling. Lastly, Hospitality Assistant Professor Jeanine DiNardo discussed the various exciting careers that are available to everyone in the field of hospitality from event planning and catering to tourism, restaurants and hotels.

Members of the Cape May County Park & Zoo’s Educational Wing spoke about the many job opportunities that are available in the care of the animals from zookeepers and veterinarians to wildlife educators and conservationists. They introduced the students to one of the Zoo’s armadillos and indigenous snake species.

Atlantic Cape’s Early College Program provides multiple avenues, including dual credit, concurrent courses, articulated credit, and associate pathways, to earn college credits, lessen the time and cost it will take to reach academic goals, and allow students to get a running start on earning an associate degree or explore transferring them to other colleges—all at reduced tuition. For more information, visit atlanticcape.edu/earlycollege.

View of Flickr photo gallery of this event on here.

For more information on academic programs, events and more at Atlantic Cape’s Cape May County campus, visit atlanticcape.edu/capemay.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with more than 30 colleges and four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to seamlessly earn a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.