2024-2025 CCCTC Chew, Chats begin
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Special to the News
The first Chew and Chat of the year took place in August and exposed students to college and career options within the career cluster of Human Services.
Human Services is a broad cluster that prepares students for employment in pathways that relate to families and human needs.
Sixteen tenth through twelfth graders attended the Human Services Chew and Chat which began at the Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute in Birmingham. Our time at Aveda began with a greeting from the retail manager. Did you know there was a full retail store located inside?
Next, we gathered in the theater to learn about educational opportunities available at Aveda, including how to apply and scholarships available to students. Ms. Andria Hall went over the details of the cosmetology program with our group, which included the total cost of the program, the different phases of classroom learning and what a student could expect to learn.
Ms. Hall briefly went over the esthiology and massage therapy programs, as well, before taking us on a tour. Our first stop on the tour was Ms. Montrese Vason’s phase 1 classroom. Here, our students were able to visit with cosmetology students and ask about their experiences.
Ms. Vason was happy to see our students come right in and make their way around the room. The remainder of our tour included a visit to the phase 2 cosmetology classroom, a phase 1 esthiology classroom and practice room, and phase 5, the floor. When walking through the floor, we were able to see students working with clients at their stations and interacting with their instructors.
Ms. Shannon Witherington, school and shop licensing coordinator, with the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering, spoke to our students about the different licenses you can earn within cosmetology and the hour requirements for each. Cosmetology is an umbrella that includes areas like manicurist and natural hair stylist, as well as the more recognized cosmetologist and barber.
She also went over the difference between a degree program and on-the-job training and apprenticeship routes to licensing. Did you know that you can change sponsors/shops three times during an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship provides a different format of learning, but does not take place in a classroom when it comes to cosmetology.
Our next stop was the Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery. There we heard from Pastor Jamal Jones, Pastor Aaron Frazier and Brother Jeff Gibhan with The Worship Center (TWC) Christian Church. In addition to being a pastor, Mr. Jones is also a musical composer, producer, arranger, and musician and has worked with many household names.
Jones spoke to the students about using their skill set to build their career plans. In Jones’ case, he began playing the piano when he was 4 years old and has since built an amazing career because of that skill.
Pastor Aaron Frazier went over his journey to his current position with TWC. Fraizer’s initial plans were to become a physician. As we all know how plans can go, Fraizer had to pivot a few times.
It was great for our students to hear that wavering from a plan does not mean you have failed. He stressed that even though the other routes did not work out, he is able to bring the skills he obtained through the training and job experience into the new experiences with TWC. His philosophy is finding your “why,” identifying your “why” and combining it with the things you enjoy. Success is possible!
TWC provided lunch from Chick-fil-A, while Brother Jeff Gibhan detailed the programs provided by the church; they literally have a program for everyone. Before our time ended, the trio went over the variety of jobs other than minister/pastor that make up the church, including social media and marketing manager, film director, script writer, accountant, and many more. Gibhan left us with an acronym, S.O.D.A.S, to assist with any decision making in the future. This stands for Situations, Options, Disadvantages, Advantages, and Solutions.
Lastly, we met with Heath Bowen, general manager of Southern Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery. Bowen is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. He briefly went over the changes in the funeral home business through the years then students jumped in, eager to ask questions.
Bowen went over the different opportunities in a company of their size. Opportunities include accountants, beauticians, support staff, administrative staff, and the list goes on.
Thank you to everyone who made our first trip of 2024-2025 one to remember. Your support, time and space are appreciated!
Thank you, Central Coosa Schools Career Coach Keslie Garrett, for planning these Chew and Chat opportunities for our students to explore career opportunities, as well as providing information and pictures on the trips.
