WCRC students visit Kirkwood campus

CEDAR RAPIDS — For the first time ever, Washington County Regional Center offered career academy students the opportunity to visit Kirkwood Community College's main campus in Cedar Rapids. Early on Dec. 13, 62 high school students and 7 Kirkwood staff loaded into buses for an impactful day of career exploration and learning helpful information valuable to all high school students, regardless of their work or educational plans after graduation.

The day was divided into four general sessions. Students first heard from Kirkwood admissions about the importance of applying to and visiting multiple colleges, financial aid, scholarships and consideration of Last Dollar Scholar Programs and other tuition-free opportunities. Kirkwood student ambassadors were available for a question-and-answer session about student life, studying tips, how to get involved on campus and what they wish they would have done differently in high school.

Students preselected their top career interest area and broke into smaller groups to tour and hear more about the skills needed to be successful in that career area. The last part of the day was spent touring housing options and learning from current students about what it’s like to live on their own, tips on how to find a compatible roommate, and strategies for keeping a budget.

"Regional Center staff and the Kirkwood Admissions team were so excited to plan this first-ever event for Washington County Regional Center students," said WCRC Director Tera Pickens. "Our hope is that our high school students feel better informed for their future by being aware of next steps in the college exploration journey and application process, availability of college programs aligned with high-demand careers and realize how their dual credit classes are setting them up for postsecondary success, no matter where they find themselves."

Kirkwood staff said the Community College campus visit was a success, and will be offered annually in the future.