Many students consider joining the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers, also known as JATC, but what is it really like to be a student there? As registration has passed and many are considering joining for their junior and senior year, even more are wondering if it is worth the extra effort.
Before joining JATC, it is important to know what you want to do for a career. You don’t want to be putting in all the extra effort to join and take these specialized classes and not even be sure if that’s what you want to do. It is, of course, okay to change your mind, but going in with an indecisive mindset will set you back.
There are two campuses for JATC: North and South. North campus is connected to the SLCC campus off of 9000 W, and the South campus is located in Riverton, off of 12600 S. One thing to keep in mind is where your program is located. Once you have that information in mind, you can make plans for transportation.
Herriman High offers transportation to both campuses, but it is slightly different for the South campus. Once you get on the bus, if you are going to the North campus, you get off on the first stop and just walk in through the main doors. If you are going to the South campus, once you get off at the North campus, you must get on another bus and any bus driver will be willing to point you towards the right one. That second bus will then take you directly to the South campus.
Of course, after that, you must consider your application. Are there any other programs that you’re interested in? If so, make sure to add them into your application, as there is a section for that.
One thing to make sure of is that there are no conflicting classes in your schedule. For example, make sure that you have all of your necessary classes in your schedule and put JATC in afterwards so that you don’t have to take extra classes your senior year or have to take summer courses due to an absence of filled requirements.
Another question you may have about JATC is the environment. JATC is a collage of all the high schools in Jordan District, so as you can imagine, there are many opportunities to make new friends. Although at first it may seem different, as the year progresses, classes become more of a community, always ready to help one another out with anything. Also, teachers are very understanding because they know that JATC is an extra program that many don’t really know anything about in the beginning.
Some programs offered are Nail Technician (South), Vet Assisting (North), Hair design (South), and many more. These programs are among the most popular because they offer licensing opportunities, which means that after you complete the program requirements, you can get a job in these fields. All of these programs are great opportunities for those who want to work after high school instead of going to college, or as college preparation.
Overall, JATC is a great option to see what opportunities are out there, and also to make sure that your chosen field of study is actually something you will enjoy.
