This year, OHS introduced a new career pathways class, firefighting, as an opportunity for students to gain career readiness. In this class, students have the opportunity to discover more about careers in firefighting. This career focus is giving OHS students the ability to define their own pathways outside of traditional schooling.
Firefighting may not be the first career path students think of, but firefighting teacher Mr. Ryan Seykora is trying to change that. Mr. Seykora said, “We’re trying to open this opportunity that I never knew was available.” A career in firefighting does not require a four-year degree. Students can graduate with a two-year fire science degree. Mr. Seykora said, “I went into a four-year degree because I didn’t know that there were other options. I thought that’s what you had to do to be successful after high school.” The firefighting class is creating awareness of new ways that students can define their path without a four-year degree.
The firefighting class is a college-level, hybrid class at OHS. The coursework gives a beginner overview of firefighting techniques while incorporating hands-on learning. Students participate in “skills days” on one Saturday each month of the course. Recently, students participated in a live burn to gain firsthand experience with fire. Senior Aaron Ginnetti said, “The best parts of the class are the hands-on learning days. We do exams to make sure we know what we’re doing, but then we go down to the fire hall, and we’re taught how to do things in person.”
Through hands-on learning, students can obtain knowledge that aids in making career decisions. Mr. Seykora said, “It’s still a successful program if we find students who decide firefighting maybe isn’t for them because that can help guide them to a different path.” OHS is focusing on providing students with the opportunity to define their own pathway through career-based learning.
Originally published in the January Print Edition.
