North Providence High student Talia Santomaro hopes to one day become a nurse – a career that is always in strong demand, especially since the Coronvirus.
Santomaro is still in high school but she is already gaining valuable experience in the healthcare profession. She is enrolled in P-Tech (Pathway Technology Early College High), a program that enables high school students to gain college and professional experience.
P-Tech aligns high school, college coursework and the workplace The result allows students to graduate with a high school diploma, an associate degree from the Community College of Rhode island, and relevant professional experience in some of Rhode Island’s high-growth, high-wage industries.
North Providence is one of five RI high schools participating in P-Tech programs.
“Going to college while we are in high school prepares us for real world situations. It’s a really cool feeling being able to pursue my passion,” said Santomaro.
By enrolling in P-Tech, students gain college and professional experience while still in high school. By the time they graduate from high school, they have already gained an associate’s degrees, valuable experience in their chosen career and are prepared for the real world.
“We’re giving students real-life, hands-on experience in the real world,” said Melissa Caffrey, North Providence P-Tech Director.
