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May 22, 2006

Tech Center puts teens to work

Flipping burgers and busing tables may be fine entry-level summer jobs for some students.

But techie teens tend to have an edge when it comes to local employment opportunities.

"I don´t exactly know everything," admitted Ross Evans of New Smyrna Beach, who landed a summer job as an intern programmer at Direct Mail Express in Daytona Beach. But he´s learning, earning $8 an hour and gaining valuable real-life experience.

"It´s going good," said Evans, 17, who´s majoring in computer programming analysis at the Advanced Technology Center, a high-tech school for 11th- and 12th- graders and college students supported by Daytona Beach Community College, the Volusia and Flagler County public school systems and the local business community.

Anthony Mattera is doing what he likes to do, too -- designing and programming a Web site for Universal Sign Manufacturing in Daytona Beach.

"I was originally hired to do architectural and technical drawing," said the Bunnell teen. But the company was "desperately in need of a Web site," so he was put on the project. Mattera started his job, which he said pays about $10 an hour, after completing his senior year at the ATC, where his major was digital media.

"I was aspiring to go there since sixth grade," said Mattera of his high school alma mater, where he also earned college credit toward his goal of becoming a graphic designer or software engineer.

"He´s creating a dynamite Web site and is a very good designer," said Eddie Hennessy, president of Universal Sign. "We´re a young company run by young guys," and their newest techie, fresh from the ATC, fits right in, he said.

The ATC has become a much sought-after source of young talent, according to Cheryl Miller, the school´s work experience coordinator.

"The phone is ringing off the hook," she said, noting that more than 30 area employers already have contacted the school hoping to hire students. As part of the curriculum, seniors are required to have job experience relating to their majors so it´s mutually beneficial, said Miller, whose office serves as a mini-employment agency for students.

Gracy Christo, 18, started her job at NetFX Pro Computers in Palm Coast in August during her senior year at the ATC. And, even though she´s moved to Deltona, she continues to commute to her job, where she´s now working as a full-time technician, building and repairing computers, and helping customers.

"She has just excelled," said her boss, Larry Gross. "She´s a great employee and learns very fast."

There´s an ongoing need, Miller said, for employers to provide learning experience for students.

In addition to computer-related fields, the ATC also offers programs in construction, manufacturing and engineering technologies, such as drafting and heating and air conditioning, and automotive technology.

"I´m going to do one more year at ATC to get my associate of science degree," said Christo, who plans to take night classes.

To her boss´s delight, she aims to keep putting her technical know-how to work at her job during the day.

Evans, meanwhile couldn´t be happier spending his summer vacation working on a computer in an office full of programmers.

It beats his last summer job, he said, working as a busboy in a steak house.

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