Kathy Rosenwinkel has spread the word to high school students in DuPage County about the career benefits the Technology Center of DuPage provides for students for more than 15 years.

“I think every high school student should have the chance to ‘test drive’ his or her interest in a future career, and TCD provides that,” she said. “It’s better for them to decide if they like a particular field now, rather than years later in college, when classes could cost thousands of dollars. I really love this school.”

Technology Center of DuPage, located in Addison, offers DuPage area high school juniors and seniors 21 diverse career and technical education programs as part of their high school curriculum, Rosenwinkel said. In addition to high school credit, students may earn concurrent, transferable college credit and any available field-related certifications or licenses.

The school is hosting an open house from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the campus, 301 S. Swift Road.

Faculty and staff will be available to answer questions about curriculum, internships and post-secondary education options including college, technical school and apprenticeship programs.

“This is an opportunity for parents and students to see firsthand what this center provides,” Rosenwinkel said. “They can focus on one particular program, or see everything we have to offer.”

The school has about 75 staff members, and about half are teachers. Many of them have more than 2,000 hours of experience in their chosen fields, she said.

The center provides programs in such fields as electronics and computer programing, automotive mechanics, multimedia and television, graphic and interior design, medical and nursing, and culinary and pastry arts. The center also started a criminal justice program for the 2008-09 school year, which Rosenwinkel said filled up immediately.

“It’s probably because of all the popularity of ‘CSI’ and other television programs, and students want to check out the career options in that field,” Rosenwinkel said.

More than 1,380 students are enrolled in classes at the center this year. Last year, TCD seniors earned more than $500,000 in scholarships.

“We have been here for a long time, and work with 14 school districts in the county, so people have a pretty good idea who we are,” she said.

“This school gives students a chance to learn from people who actually work in these fields, and can get internships through them.”