What started as a work-based learning opportunity with state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment has turned into full-time employment for two recent graduates of the Santa Ana Unified School District.
For the latest OC Pathways success story, we paid a visit to the Spyder3D headquarters in Brea, where Victoria Dueñas and Vanessa Martinez talked about their journey from the SpyderLab club at Saddleback High School to a summer program that ultimately led to jobs straight out of high school.
You can watch their story in the brief video above, produced by OCDE’s Media Services team.
Spyder3D is an OC Pathways partner that works with Southern California schools and after-school programs to provide hands-on career exploration for students in business, manufacturing and design. With its own graphic media production studio, the company makes custom apparel, banners, posters, stickers, plaques and other products using 3D printing, laser engraving and professional-grade printing and cutting equipment.
Meanwhile, students get a master class on collaboration, communication, creativity and the principles of business and marketing.
If you’re not familiar with OC Pathways, the OCDE-led initiative has been around since 2014, connecting educators and industry leaders to create coordinated career paths and work-based learning opportunities for students.
Recognized as a model of public-private partnerships, OC Pathways now includes 28 school districts and nine community colleges, along with scores of universities, regional agencies, and industry and community partners. For more information, visit ocpathways.com.