Waterloo Career Center

Jan 20 2023

Imagining new media at the Waterloo Career Center

With instructors Matt Dunkerton and Todd Kern, Waterloo Career Center (WCC) students have found their very own catalyst for curiosity.

Classes such as desktop publishing, video production, and drawing & composition, help students get a well-rounded view of the creative process. According to Kern, knowing how things are made, allows students to ideate and conceptualize their own future creative endeavors.

“I treat them more like young designers than adolescent students,” said Kern, digital graphics instructor. “When they leave here they know what they’re doing, and have the tools and confidence to go out and achieve it.”

According to Dunkerton, hands-on experience and real-world client work help students see the creative industry’s big picture of possibilities. And, with the recent addition of Adobe certifications, students can emerge from the program with tangible resume entries and comparative portfolios to share with potential employers.

“We offer students a peak behind the curtain on how their favorite digital media is made,” said Dunkerton, interactive media instructor. “The longer I teach, the more I’m convinced teaching is simply taking out the question of how.”

At the WCC students are challenged to take charge of their own journey, finding projects and processes they want to pursue, and then working alongside their instructors to create something meaningful. In 2022, video production students were able to plan, film, produce, and edit professional-grade promotional videos for Leader Valley. The class intends to create an entire video series this year in collaboration with Grow Cedar Valley.

In the graphics arena, students are gaining first-hand experience in client management while photographing and designing the 2023 Waterloo basketball team poster. Kern says seeing their work posted around the school has been a rewarding experience for his students.

“So much of what goes on in our room comes direct from industry experts and business partners within the community,” said Kern. “No other school in the state is offering the certifications and experience we are at the high school level.”

WCC alumnus Cole Kelley says the freedom of exploration within the school was the key to finding his passion in video production.

“They were all very open to listening to ideas, always helping inspire students to create,” said Kelley. “It was after that class that I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

Kelley is one of many students who have gone on to explore further in the creative industry. Other alumni have branched into clothing design, freelancing, video game design, and digital media. Wherever students aim to land, WCC instructors Kern and Dunkerton are ready and eager to help catalyze their potential, helping students discover their own passions along the way.

Nov 30 2022

28 WCC students sign with UnityPoint Health as CNA’s

Beginning in January, 28 high school nursing students will start work at Allen Hospital after passing their certified nursing assistant (CNA) exams.

This unique program between UnityPoint Health and the Waterloo Career Center was made possible through a state grant aimed at helping to develop more Iowa-based career paths. The $176,000 in funding will help students cover the costs of transportation, medical training equipment, and uniforms.

“I think this is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with the hospital staff,” said Paige Emerson, UnityPoint Health recruiter. “We’re really excited to have the students working at UnityPoint Health to help them learn and prepare for future careers.”

According to Jeff Frost, executive director of professional education at Waterloo Schools, students will be able to explore a multitude of potential career paths such as cardiovascular, laboratory, operations, and more throughout their experience.

“One of the great things about them signing on with UnityPoint is that they will get to float between floors,” said Frost. “Our goal is to create the next generation of healthcare workers.”

While 28 students signed their offer letters this semester, Frost expects more to follow in 2023.

“Ultimately, for us it’s about getting as many students into this program as possible,” said Frost.

Pam Delagardelle, president and CEO of UnityPoint Health Waterloo, encouraged participating students to dream big at the event. Citing her own journey from 16-year-old CNA to CEO, Delagardelle asked UnityPoint’s newest cohorts to explore every career path in front of them.

“I’m one of your biggest champions,” said Delagardelle. “We couldn’t be more excited at UnityPoint to have you joining us.”

This year’s inaugural cohort is ready to hit the ground running according to East High junior, Larya Pratchett.

“It’s exciting because a lot of the time since we’re younger we don’t get as many opportunities because they look at our age instead of our skills,” said Pratchett. “Being able to work in a hospital is really cool, and helps us become role models for others in our community.”

After the signing ceremony, participating students celebrated with their loved ones over a catered lunch courtesy of Waterloo restaurant, Ari’z.

Nov 02 2022

Finding a BOLD New View with Cole Kelley

“Remember to be respectful,” said Cole Kelley, 2021 West High graduate. “Everyone is a potential connection.”

After graduating last year, Kelley decided to pursue his love for video production at the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC.) Kelley said he’d begun learning all about camera operations and potential career opportunities during his classes at the Waterloo Career Center (WCC.)

“My final project in the video production class really helped me see how all the pieces fit together,” said Kelley. “It was after that class that I knew this is what I wanted to do.”

Matthew Dunkerton, interactive media instructor at the WCC, remembers watching as the spark of storytelling caught Kelley’s attention his senior year.

“I enjoyed seeing him explore his curiosities as he searched for a career path. It was evident that digital media was the right fit,” said Dunkerton. “He’s put in a great deal of hard work over the past few years to position himself for success and I am confident and excited to see where it leads him next.”

“I really enjoyed his tenacity to learn everything he could, whether it was video production or marketing, he worked hard to make whatever he was doing quality,” said english instructor, Samuel Bass.

According to Kelley, the feeling was mutual, saying the encouragement and inspiration throughout the WCC was a key component to his decision to dive into video production.

“They were all very open to listening to ideas, always helping and inspiring students to create,” said Kelley.

Digital graphics instructor, Todd Kern, remembers Kelley’s impeccable work as a student, always striving to learn the foundations of concepts instead of just a surface level understanding.

“Cole always had a professional vibe around him,” said Kern. “He wanted to learn everything taught to him. He challenged me on issues and concepts to fully understand whatever was being discussed and he gave one hundred percent on all the work he turned in.”

Recently, Kelley got to learn on location with a film director, soaking up another exciting learning experience. Although, due to a customary non-disclosure agreement, he is unable to share details about the project, he says seeing a professional documentary director intently observe their surroundings to set up future shots is something that’s helped him start envisioning his potential career paths after graduating from DMACC.

Wherever his love of filmmaking takes him next, Bass, Dunkerton, Kern, and the rest of the WCC, will be there cheering for him each step of the way.

Oct 13 2022

WATERLOO CAREER CENTER OPENS NEW CYBERSECURITY CLASSROOM WITH CERTIFICATION COURSES FOR STUDENTS

WATERLOO –This fall, Waterloo Career Center students have been able to take advantage of their new cybersecurity classroom with certification coursework taught by Waterloo School’s gold star computer science and cybersecurity teacher, Kyle Kuhlers.

“Cybersecurity is exciting because every student can learn and be successful in Cybersecurity,” said Kuhlers. “Students don’t have to go to college if they don’t want to, they can get certifications at the WCC starting with IT Fundamentals, testout Security Pro, and even the industry’s gold standard – CompTIA’s Security Plus certification.”

All three of these courses are offered at the WCC and beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, freshmen will be able to take Cybersecurity coursework too.

Kuhlers says that the learning environment at the WCC gives students the opportunity to create and set rules or user permissions, as well as obtain access to programs such as WireShark, nmap, Metasploit, Snort, and others. Additionally, students are earning valuable experience interacting with the vulnerabilities of databases, python programming, AWS cloud computing, and Linux, all in an ethical way which promotes cyber defense and protection.

“I believe every student can learn and be successful in a cybersecurity career,” said Kuhlers. “My goal is to demonstrate how these tools can be used for cyber defense and protection in a positive way taking the mystery and anonymity out of cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity student, Obed Kaibanzawoko said, “The most exciting thing about cybersecurity is that everyday there’s a new thing, a new attack or a new strategy. It’s a field that I am interested in and I love that there’s always innovation and new subjects everyday.”

Public awareness around cybersecurity has increased in recent years due to ongoing digital attacks on consumer-based companies such as Target, Capital One, and Adobe.

“The WCC is able to offer students a safe place to experience the tools that are used in the industry without having to worry about damage being done. This space has been created by the Waterloo Schools IT department this past summer, led by technology director Matt O’Brien,” said Kuhlers.

According to O’Brien, the IT team was able to segment a separate network for the cybersecurity classroom to create an environment where students have access to control and monitor their own network. Having this separated from the rest of the district, allows them to learn and experiment without jeopardizing the rest of the district’s existing network.

“In addition to mobile workstations and hardwired laptops, the room also has several large displays to monitor information about the network and global threat landscape,” said O’Brien. “This is meant to mimic an SOC, or security operations center, much like the ones at large organizations and service providers.”

Kuhlers also encourages students to participate in WCC’s monthly Cyber Club. With annual hands-on competitions, students are able to work with real-life scenarios alongside Iowa State students and cyber professionals. These scenarios challenge students to build a virtual network and then protect it from their volunteer hackers, showcasing a recurring need to maintain systems while simultaneously protecting them from outside threats.

“These competitions are great because students are in the middle of an attack and have to react. Shutting down the system is not an option, it has to remain usable while dealing with the attack,” said Kuhlers.

According to Kuhlers, cybersecurity is an important career path for students, especially when computer access enables them to interact and experiment with many computer science tools already on a daily basis. Specialists such as software engineers are also expected to have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity and how to draft secure code for their companies.

Cybersecurity student Salma Sahir-Orozco says having the classroom for students is invaluable.

“It allows me to try out what I learn in a classroom where I can’t truly screw anything up,” said Sahir-Orozco. “When I first heard about it in AFJROTC, I was apprehensive because I was sure I wouldn’t be able to learn how to do anything but once I explored the field a bit more I knew this was something I wanted to learn more about.”

The WCC currently offers computer science classes in coding, virtual reality, and cybersecurity.

About Waterloo Schools

The Waterloo Schools community commits to a comprehensive system of education and support to assure that each and every student will graduate prepared for college, career, and citizenship as evidenced by continuing education, pursuing a career path, and contributing to a community.

Oct 12 2022

Career Inspire Event Creates Waves of Innovation for Waterloo Schools Students

Students flowed through the Career Inspire catalyst Thursday and Friday last week, soaking in their potential with each step and innovation. Cedar Valley professionals were equally enthusiastic, beaming with pride for their industries, personal passions, and love of sharing their craft with the next generation. This inaugural Career Inspire event enabled the Waterloo community to come full circle, sharing information across generational lines while expanding the foreseen career horizons for middle and high school students.

“It’s a moment for me,” said Amy Hunzlman, experiential learning coordinator. “There has been such a rapport with these eighth and ninth grade students with the business sector. It’s been pretty special these past couple days seeing how students are connecting with careers, finding their ahas and interests, and endless possibilities.”

Upon entry, each class of students was assigned one of six designated industry-specific rooms for a twenty minute exploration period. After each elapsed session, students would rotate to the next, absorbing the potential careers for applied science (math, engineering, and mathematics), agriculture and natural resources, transportation/logistics/architecture/construction, health sciences, human services, arts/communications/information solutions, and business/finance/marketing/management.

One unique component of the event is the separation between the displaying companies and their featured experiences. While John Deere showcased their $80,000 3-D modeling equipment, students only saw Career Inspire volunteers instead of the company’s iconic green and yellow branding. This intentional detachment helped participants to focus conversations on the technology itself and the many career opportunities available to students.

“We are honored to be a part of this experience for students. We have been a long time partner with not only Waterloo Schools, but Junior Achievement,” said Mindy Schmidt, Community Relations Manager at John Deere. “This is just one wonderful opportunity to be able to have our students just kind of dip their toes into career exploration to say maybe there’s an interest and it can build on the plans that Waterloo Schools is doing.”

According to the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JA-EI) team, the event takes roughly a year to plan, with designated committees responsible for each industry sector. 2022 marks the first year for the event, and both Waterloo Schools and JA-EI are eager to get planning underway for years to come.

“The planning team really thought about what are those core businesses within the Cedar Valley that we can lean into that would make sense in the six pathways that align from the governor’s perspective of education – and tying that in,” said Schmidt.

Many education officials celebrated the launch of this Waterloo centric event, including Dr. Ann Lebo, Iowa’s Director of Education.

“We have so many opportunities within our own communities,” said Lebo. “We need to sell who we are. We need to engage our schools and communities together, so we can support new businesses, and let kids know there’s real opportunities for them right here.”

The Career Inspire event was hosted by JA-EI in collaboration with Waterloo Schools. In total over 1,500 students attended the event from Waterloo middle and high schools. Cary Weiland, Expo Alternative Learning Center principal, believes that this event will have an impact on his students for years to come.

“Our students were able to experience careers that in most cases they weren’t even thinking about,” said Weiland. “I would one hundred percent recommend this opportunity. I wish I had this type of experience when I was their age.”

According to Dr. Jared Smith, Superintendent at Waterloo Community School District, the Career Inspire event is one of many career-focused experiences across students k-12 curriculum with Waterloo Schools.

“Our career development initiatives are a top priority for Waterloo Schools,” said Smith. “And Career Inspire has been a powerful and exciting opportunity for our students to take another big step to discover where their passions meet professions.”

Waterloo Career Center

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