By Holly Desrosier
While most high school students opt to spend their summers having fun in the sun, one group in Craven Community College’s (Craven CC) Career & College Promise (CCP) program chose to go the extra mile to earn their welding certificates this summer.
The college’s CCP program, which allows Craven County rising or current high school juniors or seniors to earn college credits for free while completing high school, proved to be a great way for nine students to fuse their interests with their academic paths. Craven CC welding instructor Caleb Wetherington, who became an adjunct instructor in 2016 and switched over to full time last fall, has been welding for over 15 years. He has been thoroughly impressed by his students’ commitment to learn and succeed since last fall.
“I enjoyed having a group of students come in that are fresh and don't really know a whole lot and that are really hungry to learn like this group of men,” he said. “I can't speak highly enough of the group of kids I've had this year. They've absolutely exceeded the expectations I had—I expected them to come in there and kind of goof off and just be high school kids. They took this 100% serious and it's made me real proud watching the growth throughout this past year.”
One of those students, Craven CC freshman Nick Crotty, said his welding interest was sparked after his dad picked it up as a hobby. He and a friend went through the program to become certified welders and are now thinking of opening a local fabrication shop. Crotty believes taking advantage of the CCP program’s hands-on training opportunities and having an adept instructor has helped him become better prepared academically and vocationally.
“I feel like CCP is good for getting a head start going into college and getting a feel of how it will be,” he said. “It’s been good all around.”
Another student, Ryan Dorsey, is a rising high school senior. He got into welding when he was in eighth grade after seeing his dad work on cars. He believes the CCP program has helped open doors for his future and plans to go into the automotive industry and do fabricating work such as exhaust and turbo kits.
“I heard about the class and was like, ‘I gotta take that,’” he said. “I’d say it’s met all my expectations, if not exceeded them.”
In addition to their common interest in welding, several of the students are accomplished athletes at Havelock High School: Two are members of the Rams varsity football team that earned second in the state for 2021, and three are part of the Rams varsity wrestling team and were regional qualifiers this year.
Wetherington expressed gratification that his first full-time class was full of such hardworking and inspired students. While he clearly hopes to see them go on to succeed in the welding industry, he explained that career stability is just one facet of their experience.
“I'm hoping that they take away a decent work ethic and know what it takes to be successful, not just in welding, but a career in general,” he explained. “I really tried to accentuate things that are going to be relevant in anything they go do: showing up on time, doing things that that are asked of you, being safe while you're at work—things like that are going to transfer over into whatever they decide to do in life."
The CCP program is free and only requires payment for textbooks and software. Students have the option to select from two pathways: College Transfer for students interested in attending a four-year institution, or Career-Technical for students looking to hone skills for industries such as welding, automotive and information technology. Seated, hybrid and fully online classes are available on both the New Bern and Havelock campuses, and all CCP students have an opportunity to earn enough credits for a community college degree or credential by the time they graduate from high school.
“While enrolled in our program, CCP students have the unique opportunity to develop their critical thinking, decision-making and interpersonal skills in a ‘real-world’ environment,” said Samantha McDonald, CCP advisor on Craven CC’s New Bern campus. “Our program also nurtures student autonomy and self-confidence by teaching them how to respond to new situations and how to plan for their future. We provide these opportunities for students while also keeping them in a supported and safe CCP network of faculty and staff.”
Prospective CCP students can reach out to their high school counselor to determine their eligibility, discuss class options and begin the enrollment process. Students and parents can also reach out at any time by emailing ccp@cravencc.edu or calling their CCP Advisor. Homeschooled students should submit their transcripts by email for evaluation.
To learn more, contact McDonald at 252-638-7242 or CCP Havelock Advisor Stephanie Proctor at 252-638-1043.