Corning Hires its First STEM Academy Graduate | Corning

Skyler had no first-day jitters when walking into Corning's Erwin plant, where he started his new job as a forming technician earlier this month. As Corning's very first hire from the Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy, Skyler felt equipped to hit the ground running at Corning.

The Academy is a six-year alternative school in Corning, New York, which combines high school education with an associate degree at Corning Community College. With the support of regional business partners, including Corning, the school prepares students for high-skill careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Skyler finished the program in just five years. He graduated in May and is the first of his class to land a job with a business partner. Earlier this summer, when he joined as a contingent worker, he already felt a connection to Corning, thanks to the employees who volunteered their time at the Academy.

"As a student, getting mentored by someone who works at Corning is invaluable," Skyler said.

That level of support prepared Skyler for the real world, as did coursework in career readiness.

"Looking back, I have used everything I learned the Academy," Skyler said. "We had this class called Professional Skills. Most of it was talking to other people. I really thought that the class wasn't going to help me that much. Now, coming into the workplace and realizing talking to people is your most important skill, it's like, 'Wow, they know what they're doing.'"

The STEM Academy is one of more than 50 P-TECH schools (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) in New York state. Chris Sharkey, president of Community Engagement and Corning Enterprises, led the effort to bring the high school to the Corning area. She took a team of educators and Dr. Mark Vaughn, manager, tech talent pipelining, to observe New York's first P-TECH in Brooklyn in 2012. The Greater Southern Tier Board of Cooperative Educational Services (GST BOCES), Corning Community College, and area business partners joined forces to create the STEM Academy, which accepted its first class of freshman in fall 2016.

Seven local employers, including Corning, aided in developing the curriculum based on in-demand job opportunities and skill sets needed in the region.

"We sat down with supervisors in machine tool shops, for example, and they said, these are the skills – both technical and professional – I need for people coming in," Chris said. "And educators built the curriculum around that need."

Along with the technical classes, Skyler's favorite was a Drawing & Design for Production class, which allowed him to learn SolidWorks software. The school provided job shadows at Corning, internships, and mentoring to enhance active listening skills and professionalism.

The school hosts career panels, resume workshops, and mock interviews. Dawn Marie Castellana, Community Development specialist, collaborates with the Academy and participated in some of the activities. Dawn Marie said students' enthusiasm to strengthen their people skills impressed her.

"I interviewed eight students and I would've offered three of them a job if we had one open," Dawn Marie said. "You could tell they were so into it."

Students also work on problem solving with Corning scientists at Sullivan Park. This summer, they've worked on possible applications for Corning^® Guardiant^® and how to market it – with a presentation set for the upcoming the school year.

Student rise to the challenge of the Academy's high standards.

"They hold themselves differently," said Fred Arcuri, Community Development specialist. "The model is designed to lift students up and provide a clear path to a career. Many become more diligent students because of extra focus and one-on-one attention. It's completely evident when you see them."

Skyler, who started learning physics at the Academy when he was 13, says he was a little unsure of his science skills at first, but Corning mentors turned that around.

"When you present to people from Corning, they're like, 'Wow, you guys have a good understanding of physics,' and you're like, 'I guess that all the struggle and challenges were worth it because I learned something instead of regurgitating something off a page,'" Skyler said.

Skyler said he's excited to start working with Corning^® FLORA^® Substrates at Erwin. The science behind it fascinates him, and he loves the challenges that come with the work. His parents, he says, are over the moon. Taking a risk on the alternative school back in 2016 has paid off.

"You don't see a 19-year-old starting at Corning right out of school every day," he said. "Most people think I'm joking with them. Whenever my parents are out and about, they're like, 'Oh yeah, my kid works at Corning – he's only 19.'"