According to data from the Arizona Career and Technical Education Division, over the last six years, 63,105 high school students took at least one culinary arts course. Compare that to the 6,105 for Electronics Technology. Why would this be so? One answer is the Food Network and the perception that culinary is fun and there might be a career there. Or perhaps it is a student sitting down with a counselor – “Johnny, I see you need something in the 2-3pm slot; well we have culinary arts or electronics technology”. Johnny says, “Well, I guess I’ll go with culinary.” I know that is simplistic. Data shows (from surveys of graduating seniors) that 59% of students attribute their career choice to parents, 23% to friends and 18% to counselors. So what do we do? Create the Electronics Technology TV Channel? I know – let’s get invited into culinary classes and convert those students to our technology program.

Mike Lesiecki