Checking on careers

Fourteen-year-old Tierra Ford had never considered that she might find a career in the construction industry. 

But, that was before she heard about the unique Minority Youth in Construction Program. The new program was started this year at Washington University.

Tierra was one of 33 St. Louis area youth accepted for the summer program. The youngsters agreed to take part in 6-week sessions not only this summer but for the next three summers as well. 

The classes and other activities will familiarize them with the many opportunities in the construction industry. In addition, the youngsters also get daily instruction to improve their math and computer skills. 

After her first summer, Tierra said, "I'm very interested in construction now. When I got to college, I want to major in computer science. Then, I'd like to manage construction projects."

She will be a freshman this fall at Hazelwood East High School. 

Some of her other classmates were more familiar with the construction industry before they joined the program. But, they said the summer program also increased their interest in a construction career. 

Fifteen-year-old Lakeesha McKinney said she had developed an interest in carpentry by helping her father with fix-up projects around the home.

But, after her time in the summer program, she said, "I'd like to do construction work with steel."

Marvin Dorsey will be a freshman at Normandy High School this fall. The 15-year-old said his interest in construction was aided by helping his father on home repair projects. 

He added, "My grandmother also owned her own construction company." 

After high school, he plans to study to be an electrician at Ranken Tech in St. Louis. Ranken combines an education in trade skills with regular college classes. Their two-year graduates then qualify for college associate degrees. 

Ricky Hughes is a freshman at Lutheran North. The 14-year-old has uncles in the construction industry. He also plans to go to Ranken Tech after high school to study engineering or electricity. 

Organizers of the new Washington U program weren't sure how much interest there would be among local minority youngsters who would be giving up six weeks of their summer vacation. 

Sandra Marks, director of supplier diversity programs, said, "We were surprised at the overwhelming response. We planned on having about 25 kids." 

But, a total of 75 African-American youngsters applied. From that group, 33 were accepted for what turns out to be a commitment for four summers. 

Marks said another drawing card for the program was that the youngsters got to study on the Washington University campus. 

Tierra Ford said her experience is causing her to lean toward going to college at Washington U. 

Another attraction of the program was the "math and computer enrichment" classes. 

Washington U grade Metra Gilliard was the instructor for "enrichment" classes. She said, "The sessions are designed to build their skills for entry into high-skill levels of the construction trade." 

She said the youngsters understand math theory better when they get to apply it to "real-world" applications like the construction industry. 

Washington University will be recruiting another group of middle-schoolers in the 2000-2001 year. If you were interested, you could contact Arthur Porter, the program director, or Sandra Marks at (314) 935-5661.