CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2021!
NEW ORLEANS, La., May 17, 2021 – Despite the trials of the past school year, students at New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) earned professional certifications and college credits while still in high school. These industry - based credentials give NOCC graduates more options when it comes to choosing their own paths after graduation. For the last year they have spent half the school day at their home high school and half the day in career prep and technical education courses at NOCC. For many, the credentials and college credits mean the opportunity to take the first step on a career ladder and save thousands in college tuition.
“The beauty of career prep at NOCC is that students gain hands-on experience and in-depth exposure to achievable careers available to them here in New Orleans. Whether they pursue a college degree or not, and many of them do, when they graduate they have a deep understanding of and the confidence to pursue the steps needed to succeed in their chosen careers,” said Carlin Jacobs, NOCC principal and deputy director.
Here are some of their accomplishments:
Healthcare Academy Graduates
Norviana Buggage ’21 (Eleanor McMain) – earned a Medical Assistant certification and completed 16 college credits in nursing while at NOCC. Norviana starts her second year of nursing school at Chamberlain University School of Nursing on May 10. She is simultaneously pursuing a Patient Care Technician certification in NOCC’s six-week adult training program. With the professional credentials, the college tuition savings, and the head start on her nursing career, Norviana plans to become an emergency room nurse when she receives a BSN in three years.
Dayja Davis ’21 (Eleanor McMain) – earned a Medical Assistant certification while at NOCC and plans to find an MA position this summer. Dayja credits the confidence and study skills she gained while at NOCC for her decision to pursue a pre-med degree (neuroscience and psychology) at Loyola in the Fall, and ultimately medical school.
Torrance Taylor ’21 (McDonogh 35) – Becoming valedictorian at her home high school was not enough for Torrance. At NOCC, she earned the Medical Assistant credential and 16 credits toward a nursing degree at Chamberlain University School of Nursing, where she’ll stay enrolled to complete a BSN. Her NOCC achievements will save her a full year of tuition costs and school time, putting her on a fast track to her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner by the time she’s 24.
Engineering/Manufacturing Academy Graduates:
Steven Bovia ’21 (KIPP John F. Kennedy) –an avid science student, Steven loved the mechanical engineering training at NOCC so much he will enroll in UNO’s College of Engineering in the Fall. Of 3D modeling, he says, “if you have a vision, you can create almost anything you want.” Steven’s mother, Nakeisha Williams, has been so happy with NOCC she wants Steven’s brother to participate when he reaches 11th or 12th grade too.
Desontis Hudson ’21 (Sophie B. Wright) – Desontis knew nothing about engineering when she learned about NOCC, but her father knew it involved a lot of math, which his daughter loved. “I didn’t know anything,” she says, “but once I got into it, I fell in love with it.” Desontis heads to Delgado Community College in the fall where she plans to take both engineering and accounting to see which appeals more – or maybe both. “I would love to have several things under my belt to choose from,” she says.
Tyler Smith ’21 (Edna Karr) – after five years of home schooling, Tyler started Edna Karr in 11th grade and NOCC’s engineering/manufacturing academy in 12th. He’s accumulated enough dual enrollment college credits, in engineering and other subjects, to be a “paper sophomore” when he starts at Fisk University in the Fall.
About New Orleans Career Center
The New Orleans Career Center (NOCC) connects Orleans Parish high school students and adults with clear pathways to high-demand, high-wage careers in healthcare, engineering and hospitality. Trainees develop the valuable hard and soft skills they need to succeed in professional environments through hands-on learning with industry and education experts. In 2018, NOCC welcomed its first class of 124 into three credential/certification pathways – healthcare, hospitality, and engineering/manufacturing. In 2020, NOCC launched an intensive Rapid Reskill program to train and credential adults 18 and older as certified Patient Care Technicians. To date, NOCC has trained more than 725 high school students and more than 100 adults.