Chicago Students Explore Career Paths at First CPS Trade Event

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) hosted its inaugural career exploration event aimed at introducing deaf and hard of hearing students to various trades on March 15, 2024. The event took place at Prosser Career Academy in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, bringing together over 20 students from Chase, Jamieson, and Bell elementary schools. This initiative provided hands-on training and insights into career paths in fields such as culinary arts, game development, auto repair, welding, HVAC maintenance, and machining.

One of the highlights of the event was Jabari Wallace, a high school junior at Prosser, who shared his journey in carpentry. Despite initially feeling uncertain about his skills, Wallace found confidence through his experiences and now enjoys teaching others. “I love teaching [kids], especially the deaf and hard of hearing,” he said. Wallace expressed his desire to provide younger students with a vision of what a career in carpentry can offer.

The event was designed to showcase the high school’s range of career-focused classes while ensuring that communication barriers were minimized. Interpreters were present throughout the day to facilitate interactions, and Prosser students fluent in sign language guided the younger learners through various activities. This approach not only enhanced learning but also fostered a sense of community among participants.

Cicely Boggan, a teacher of the deaf at Prosser, emphasized the importance of such events in inspiring students. “The world is not completely accessible, so it’s easy for deaf individuals to feel isolated,” she explained through an interpreter. Boggan noted that creating opportunities specifically for these students can motivate them to enhance their lives and pursue their aspirations.

Students engaged in hands-on activities, learning to craft toy cars from wood and cut sheet metal using plasma cutters. They also received demonstrations in furnace maintenance and soldering, adding to the diverse skill set they could explore. Tristan Williams, a seventh grader at Chase, enjoyed the experience of using the plasma cutter and expressed his interest in becoming an auto mechanic. “I like to fix cars, and I want to be able to fix my own if it breaks down,” he shared. Williams appreciated the availability of interpreters, which he found essential for understanding the instructions.

Another participant, Evelyn Ramirez, an eighth grader at Bell, was particularly interested in the culinary arts demonstrations. She expressed her passion for cooking, mentioning that her favorite dish to prepare is anything with eggs. Ramirez is considering attending Prosser next year due to its strong career programs.

Prosser Career Academy has received support from Chance the Rapper’s nonprofit organization, SocialWorks, which awarded a grant to enhance its career-focused initiatives. Boggan mentioned plans to utilize part of this funding to expand the carpentry program and hire additional teachers proficient in sign language, further enriching the educational environment for deaf students.

Rachel Arfa, commissioner of the mayor’s office for people with disabilities, joined the students during their event. As the first deaf individual to serve in a cabinet position in the mayor’s office, Arfa highlighted the significance of having deaf educators. She stated, “Having a deaf teacher is so impactful because that may be the only exposure deaf and hard of hearing students have to understanding what is possible for them.”

This remarkable event not only provided students with valuable insights into career opportunities but also fostered a sense of belonging and support within the community. The positive feedback from the young attendees indicates a successful first step in CPS’s ongoing commitment to inclusive education and career exploration.