For years, young people leaving high school were often guided to believe that college was the only way to be successful.
Sure, there are some career paths that absolutely require higher education for training, licensure, or certifications. For some high school graduates, college is a great way to learn and grow, find new interests and a career path. College can, however, be cost prohibitive and, frankly, useless if it is not where you really want to be.
College is not for everyone, and society is finally figuring out that it is OK. Opportunities abound for a person who really wants to work and is willing to be trained. Eddy County’s unemployment rate is 3% while the statewide unemployment rate is 4.2%. Low unemployment is generally a good sign that the economy is healthy, but it can also mean some people are not looking for work. Eddy County’s labor participation rate is 63.2%, just a little bit higher than the national average. That means 63.2% of our working age population is working or looking for work. Meanwhile, in Eddy County, it is common to hear that companies want to hire, but find there are not enough of the right candidates. From the office to the field, there is a job in just about every industry in our area.
What can young people uninterested in college do? Many jobs require some amount of training. Certificate and associate programs at Southeast New Mexico College, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, and other trade schools will teach a person to be a lineman or welder, web tech, aviation mechanic, diesel mechanic, truck driver, healthcare worker, and more. Some jobs, such as local police officers or U.S. Border Patrol, will send you to training.
With the development of Artesia High School’s Career Centers, students will be able to explore their interests and even prepare for certification before graduating. Career Center 1 houses training programs in mass media, business and marketing, and culinary arts. Career Center 2, which is being designed, will house training in oil and gas, building trades, automotive, health sciences, and drafting (CAD). Welding has its own lab space in another area of the high school. Some of these programs have testing and certification at the end of high school that can lead directly into a job. Other fields have certifications under development. All career paths provide the basics necessary to take the next steps into a career.
Artesia Public Schools Superintendent Darian Jaramillo says, “APS values the trades just as much as we do the college pathway. By building these facilities, we hope students will find relevance in their learning.” She understands students often feel a disconnect between certain courses required by the state for graduation and practical application in the
real world. Superintendents and industry professionals are working together to change that dynamic in the hopes of growing a local workforce. With the development of technical pathways designed to encourage students to find and develop a professional interest, there is one key component noted across all industries: Essential Skills.
Figure out what you enjoy and start doing it, or start trying things and eliminate.
Essential skills are the set of abilities fundamental to success in all areas of life, including work, learning, and community. They include critical thinking, communication, problem solving, working with others, and continuous learning. Across the spectrum, employers say they can train people for the job at hand, but they need to see the essential skills in their candidates for hire. Why is this so important? Essential skills help any employee perform the job, demonstrate a foundation for learning other skills, enable people to adapt to change and growth, and encourage self-awareness, which makes employees more effective.
Whether you are a truck driver or an executive, essential skills are critical. Employers admit that in today’s world, work ethic is the most critical skill for hiring. The APS pathways not only give students experience in specific fields, but also teach the value of work ethic and the essential skills necessary for employment.
Local employer Dani Kuykendall of Guy Chevrolet says, “I think there are so many things to do in Artesia that kids don’t know about.” She encourages parents and the schools to continue talking to kids about the possibilities. What advice would she offer to a young person? “Figure out what you enjoy and start doing it, or start trying things and eliminate.” She adds that finding an entry level job and sticking to it can be very valuable. A young person can learn commitment and skills they did not even realize they needed. Many entry level jobs lead to very successful careers. Often, franchise owners started as entry level employees, and with time, commitment, and other essential skills, became successful business owners and leaders.
Job possibilities are bountiful in Artesia and Eddy County. Although minimum wage in New Mexico is $12, many workers start above that. With experience and commitment, companies will incentivize with pay increases. Eddy County’s average wage is $38 per hour, higher than in other areas around the state.
If college is not for you, take advantage of the opportunities that are here, and create goals that will take you down a career path toward success. Whether you choose a career or college, you cannot start at the top. But, remember, the path will take you there.
