Open House Proves Worthwhile For State Tech, Prospective Students
Lin, Mo. Missouri State Technical College saw an immediate return on its investment as nearly 100 students registered during the school's open house Saturday.
Show Me State Tech events are held in the spring and fall as open houses for those interested in learning more about the two-year institution.
"Show Me State Tech is an opportunity for students and families to explore 37 academic programs at their own pace and answer questions from employees and employers," said Sean Strong, vice president of student affairs.
The campus was packed Saturday, with State Tech's Brandon McElwain saying thousands showed up.
There is a lot of interaction, booths to see and learning from employees and employers. The Center for Aeronautical Technology offers student jets for tours, and people at the Center for Automotive and Power can see nearly new trucks and junk cars with engines replaced after crashes.
The library is set up as an admissions office, with student affairs staff available to answer questions about housing, cost of attendance, and the application process.
One of the students who will be applying, Shelby Slater, is a Tech State graduate.
“Both my father and my brother were entrepreneurs,” says Slater, adding, “The high employment rates drew me here.”
Strong says, “There was a good mix of people who knew us. In fact, I felt a hand on mine as I walked into the cafeteria. It turned out to be one of my former students. He said he was showing. I am at university. Brothers.
Another attendee, Ben Walker of Maryville, was persuaded to attend by friends speaking on campus.
Apart from personal networks, there are other factors that drive students to attend engineering schools.
"It's my choice to study on the job or come here," he said. Michael Stogal, of Kansas City. "...I'm here to get the experience and the documents I need to get a higher job and a higher salary."
Some of the attendees wanted to explore the meaning of “Employer's Choice,” one of State Technology's slogans.
Two State Tech students - Hayden Schertz and Xander Metcalfe, who study turf management - were thrilled to tell the audience that State Tech students are recruited by many professional sports organizations. One of its graduates, Tyler Gosney, worked as a member of the experienced landscape and grounds maintenance team for the Kansas City Chiefs right out of college.
Several participants indicated that uncertainty about attending the State Technical University was reduced by current students' confidence in their decision to enter the institution.
Slater, 18, said at the launch of her new dental assistant kit that she was "absolutely confident" working as an assistant.
One of five students surveyed by the DOE who were "confident" about attending State Tech before applying, James Side is "more confident now (about the program) than ever."
WalletHub has ranked State Tech as the top community college in the nation for the fourth year in a row.
