Californians for Energy Independence, League of United Latin American Citizens District 17, El Concilio Family Services and Oxnard College have partnered on an educational program at the college to encourage high school and college students to explore jobs in the energy industry.
The program, “Careers in Energy,” focuses on the importance of studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). More than 130 local high school and college students, including 27 students from Hueneme High School who are learning English as a second language, attended an event through the program and learned how excelling in STEM can lead to high-paying jobs after college.
More than a dozen local employees from Aera Energy and California Resources Corp. conducted hands-on workshops for students and answered questions about the industry and educational requirements. The employees were forthcoming with advice about how to navigate college life and more importantly how to begin a STEMfield career.
The oil and gas industry is responsible for 455,940 jobs statewide and more than 9,000 in Ventura County, and the average wage of someone working in the industry is more than twice as much as those of other private industries in California, according to a news release from Californians for Energy Independence.
Oscar Cobian, vice president of student services at the college, encouraged students to take advantage of the event.
“It’s important to expose students to this amazing information,” Cobian said. “Often, students don’t know about the career opportunities available to them. Careers in Energy is a great opportunity to connect students to resources and invaluable speakers.”
