Hi everyone.

I'm Emily Calandrelli.

from Morgantown, West Virginia.

You may know me as the host of Exploration Outer Space from my Netflix show, Emily's Wonder Lab, or on the internet at the Space Gal.

I'm an aerospace engineer, and I'm here to tell you that you two can have an exciting career in science, technology, engineering, and math right here in West Virginia.

It all takes education and training.

Also all available right here in our state.

So we're going to go meet some people who are going to tell us all about it.

Because remember, the future is you.

I'm Cindy Rodin and I'm an aviation maintenance instructor here at the Robert Byrd National Aerospace Education Center.

I teach people the basics of aircraft so that they are qualified to then take their FAA test.

They can test for the FAA, get their license, and then they can work anywhere in the world.

People understan that if you have this license, the same key which stands for Airframe and Powerplant, we learn pneumatics electricity, hydraulics, sheet metal.

They learn it all right so they can do anything.

And then what do people wit that type of certification do?

What kind of careers can they have?

Industry loves and can mechanics.

Wow.

So it's a very broad certification that you can use in so many different careers.

Yeah.

And as far as with the aviation, you can become a mechanic or crew mechanic.

Then you can go into maintenance coordination where like it's endless, you can run the whole plant, you know, wow.

And you're already doing a good job of this.

But what is the pitch for getting more students into a program like, oh my gosh, it's a career for life.

I mean, I have studied they graduate if they're straight out of school, let's say they're 20.

Maybe when they graduate here, they walk across the street and they have a lifetime career of Pratt and Whitney making good money, no small company, no Mitsubishi works on the RGS.

They can become a mechanic for any airline.

They can work.

Turbine engines are used to generate electricity for factories.

They use A&P.

Mechanics and mechanics are desirable for trains.

Elevators.

Medical robots love A&P mechanics degree.

Yeah, I know right?

Our students, most of the want to stay in West Virginia, West Virginia.

People love West Virginia, so they want to stay here an so they can walk out our door.

And most of my students are already working in the you know, the understanding is once they graduate, they'll get their license and they get a full time job.

There you have it.

There is so much out there to get excited about.

So get started today.

Ask your school counselor about Stem education, including career technical education opportunities that are available through your school.

The fields of science and technology need you, and I'm telling you, the rewards are out of this world.

I'm Emily Calandrelli and until next time, remember the future is you.