Pitch to local students: ‘On average, our employees make $100,000’
Published 12:11 am Saturday, May 13, 2017
- East St. John High School Principal Tabari Simon, Marathon Community Relations Coordinator Aspen Murphy, South Central Louisiana Technical College Campus Dean Penelope Freeman, Parish President Natalie Robottom and St. John the Baptist Parish School District Superintendent Kevin George spoke to students about the PTECH program and other opportunities.
RESERVE — A select group of juniors and seniors from the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District will have the opportunity to earn free college credits this summer while exploring a career in process technology.
![](https://www.lobservateur.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2017/05/PTECH1.jpg)
St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom speaks to East St. John High School juniors and seniors about exploring opportunities in the parish.
Process technicians are skilled plant operators required by local refineries. The partnership between the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District and South Central Louisiana Technical College in Reserve is part of the school district’s effort to link students to high-paying jobs in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Parish President Natalie Robottom, Marathon Community Relations Coordinator Aspen Murphy and SCLTC Campus Dean Penelope Freeman spoke to qualifying students about career opportunities available in the field on Monday.
“$100,000 is how much you can make in two years after you graduate from the process technology program,” Murphy said.
“On average, our employees make $100,000 for a two-year degree. So by age 20, 21 you could be making that if you take the classes, pass the test, go through the interview process and get hired, and we hire most of our employees from St. John the Baptist Parish.”
Students selected for the program had to earn qualifying ACT scores and demonstrate proficiency in STEM-related classes.
Those who decide to participate can take two college classes this summer, earning them six college credits, and have the opportunity to continue their educations in the fall.
— Submitted by the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Schools