On The Job TV

/ Trenholm State Technical College & Spa At Montgomery – Therapeutic Massage / Therapeutic Massage dates back to the medieval times. While the intent of this industry on improving health and wellness has not changed, the technology, education, and training for becoming a massage therapist has reached new levels. Join Bobby Jon as he takes you to the Spa At Montgomery and Trenholm State Technical College’s Massage Therapy program.

/ Jacksonville State University – Department of Technology and Engineering / Jacksonville State University offers a wide array of technology degrees for students interested in automation of industrial manufacturing, robotics, digital networks and communication, and management of computer integrated manufacturing systems. While Jacksonville state offers an array of 4 year technology degrees, it also offers a unique 2 year Pre-engineering program. We spoke to teachers and students about the programs available for study, and what they think about these programs.

/ Jacksonville State Department of Communications / WDJC / Today, Radio is a multi billion-dollar industry that through over-the-air stations and satellite radio reaches every corner of the country and around the world. At Jacksonville State University’s Department of Communications, they’re teaching students not only how to run the station technically, but also how to have the best voice on the air. We also visited Justin Brown, an afternoon DJ for WJDC in Birmingham and a graduate of the Radio program at Jacksonville State. Justin gave insight into what it takes to do this job and be good at it.

/ Auburn University Automotive Engineering & Manufacturing Program / The automotive manufacturing industry is rapidly growing in Alabama. The companies involved in this movement, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes, and Hyundai, all require various types of skilled, professional engineers, with experience in the field of manufacturing. Because the Automotive Industry grew so quickly here, the skill set required to fulfill manufacturing engineering positions were not plentiful. Auburn University to trying to remedy that problem through a new curriculum that has been implemented. Auburn University Engineering Program Website

/ UAH Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Program / Known as the “Rocket City”, Huntsville continues to make a name for its self in the Missile Defense and Aerospace Industry….and with more Aerospace Engineers per capita than any other city in the U.S., the Aerospace Industry continues to thrive there. Supporting this boom through education is the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. On The Job headed up to UAH to check out this growing program. UAH Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Program Website

/ Kyser Catfish Farms / Southern Nuclear / Kyser Farms built the first commercial catfish farms in the state and today is one of Alabama’s leading producers of farm raised catfish. We “catch” up with Townsend Kyser, a third generation Catfish farmer, to learn more about this industry and the economic impact it has for the region and for the state of Alabama. www.alfafarmers.org/commodities/catfish.phtml Southern Nuclear Southern Company currently operates three nuclear generating facilities two in Georgia; and Plant Farley just outside of Dothan in southeast Alabama. And today, we’re down in Dothan at Plant Farley getting a rare look at some of the different jobs available in this industry.

/ Hesco / Sylacauga Banking Program / Hesco Hesco is ‘literally’ a full-service automotive machine shop. Located in Birmingham, AL, their specialization ranges from high-performance, exotic vehicles to your average family sedan or van. They work on everything from motor scooters to Ferraris; antiques to prototypes. Services offered include Dyno Testing , Electronics Engineering and Computer Programming, Custom Engine Work, Service and Repair as well as Secure Vehicle Storage and Vehicle Sales. On The Job Drove on up to Birmingham to Check out this ‘One Stop”, “Pit Stop” for all your automotive needs… Sylacauga Banking Program One financial institute in Alabama has decided to partner up with their local high school to help teach financial literacy with high school students, but with a twist. These students get to run their own credit union in their school.   The Heritage South Credit Union in Sylacauga and Sylacauga high school’s career tech program have joined together to teach students how to be responsible with money, through financial literacy and planning through classroom teaching and hands-on experience. We visited Sylacauga High School to see this high school-based credit union for ourselves.

/ Trenholm Tech Graphic Design Program / Webster’s dictionary defines Graphic Design as the art or profession of using design elements such as type and images to convey or create an effect, and a graphic designer is a person in this profession. Seems simple enough yet it takes a skills, talent and patience to become a skilled graphic designer. One of the best places in Alabama to get theses skills is at Trenholm State Technical College in Montgomery.

/ EMT / Biscuits Baseball Ground Crew / Chrissie Schubert's Homemade Treats / EMT - Calhoun Almost everyone is familiar with TV Medical Dramas like Grey’s Anatomy, House and ER, which depict the real life trauma and drama of the Emergency Room or Hospital… But these TV dramas only tell half the story… There’s a lot that goes on “In Front of the Scenes” before a patient even gets to the Emergency Room or Hospital and many times its within this critical period of time that the survivability of a patient is determined. That’s where EMT’s come in. Biscuits Baseball Ground Crew It’s been said that the baseball field is the great leveler of players. It is the 10th player on the field that can give you a great bounce that leads your team to the world series, or it can be the gremlin that at the last minute sends a routine grounder deep into left field allowing the winning run to score. That’s why turf management and a great grounds crew are important, if not critical to a successful team. Chrissie Schubert's Homemade Treats Chrissie Schubert’s Homemade Treats, located in Andalusia, Alabama offers a variety of gourmet treats including cookies and brownies. With the encouragement of her mother, Sister Schubert, Chrissie started her cookie business in 2004. After years of baking, Chrissie felt like she had the right knowledge and recipes to try her hand in the family tradition of commercial baking. In a few short months, Chrissie’s cookie company gained the attention of Southern Living Magazine which featured “Alabama’s Best Cookies and More” in the April 2006 issue. Soon after, another article was published in Wiregrass Living and the buzz spread around the Southeast. We spent an afternoon with Chrissie and got some first hand cookie making experience.

/ Bonnie Plant Farm / Wallace Community College - Radiologic Technology / If you have a green thumb, and enjoy working in gardens, and planting the occasional herb, then this an episode for you. The ON THE JOB team took a trip down to Union Springs, AL, and had the opportunity to visit with one of the premier green house operations in the country, Bonnie Plant Farm. What started out in a backyard garden in this rural town in 1918, has now grown to a multi-million dollar plant operation serves plants and herbs to 49 states, including Canada. This empire of a plant operation employs over 500 sales reps, and encompasses over 10,500 accounts. A salesmen works a plant route for no longer than 5 months out of the year, and is said to make anywhere between $25,000-$90,000 during that time! Welcome to the world of Bonnie Plant Farm! We also visited Flowers Hospital in Dothan where they partner with Wallace Community College’s Radiologic Technologist program and train tomorrow’s medical work force. We learned out about the different types of radiology, and what is involved in training for this field. We also found out about recent technological changes in Radiologic technology.

/ AIDB - Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind / The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind provides the world's most comprehensive education, rehabilitation and employment system serving children and adults who are deaf, blind, impaired and multi-disabled. We visited the E. H. Gentry's full service education facility in Talladega. Established in 1968, Gentry helps their clients achieve economic independence through employment training, college preparation classes, independent living skills and early intervention programs. We spoke with instructors and students about the programs offered and the technology that is changing people's lives. AIDB website Sorenson Video Relay System (SVRS)

/ Thompson Tractor / If you pass by any commercial construction site you will more than likely see heavy equipment like earthmovers, bulldozers, and tractors. Just like our automobiles these heavy pieces of equipment have to be maintained. Mechanics at Thompson Tractor are equipped with the skill and knowledge to get this job done.  Being a full-line Caterpillar dealer is just one of  the roles of Thompson Tractor, but the job that affect their customers the most is their service to these products. Thompson hires and trains their employees to be some of the best heavy equipment mechanics in Alabama. So we visited their facilities in Birmingham to see them at work. Thompson Tractor Website