EASTERN Student Graduates with 29 College Credits

Jason Meleco is a Computer Network Administration student at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove and a senior at Lower Moreland High School. In June, he will graduate from EASTERN and Lower Moreland High School with 29 credits from Montgomery County Community College (MCCC); this includes 12 credits from dual enrollment through his EASTERN Computer Network Administration program, and an additional 17 credits from courses he has taken on his own. Classes Jason has completed include Cisco I, Linux, Microsoft Server, Novell, PC Applications, PC Maintenance, Management, English, Math, and Golf.

Since MCCC classes were given to Jason as an option through EASTERN, he decided to further challenge himself by taking the core classes he knew he would eventually be required to take. Currently, Jason is taking two MCCC classes while attending EASTERN and Lower Moreland High School. Jason also works part time at Brookside Manor, a banquet hall and caterer in Feasterville.

Jason became interested in EASTERN’s Computer Network Administration program when he participated in the Inside a PC Summer Fun program. Summer Fun is a summer program that EASTERN offers to 7th, 8th and 9th grade students. EASTERN’s Computer Network Administration is a two-year half-day program for high school juniors and seniors in which students must pass the Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) exam in the first year and are prepared for two other industry certification exams: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Certified Novell Administrator (NCA). Jason currently has his CLA and NCA certifications. In May, he will complete his MCTS.

 “I have been looking forward to EASTERN since attending Summer Fun in 9th grade,” said Jason. “I researched Computer Network Administration and job options in that field. It is a fun field to be in because of all the technology used. I have always had an interest in computers and how they work, and this class has helped me get a head start on college and my career.”

Lower Moreland High School offers seniors the opportunity to spend a few weeks volunteering in his or her chosen career field. Jason chose EASTERN for several different reasons. He did not want to miss any of his Computer Network Administration class work, but he also was interested in learning about EASTERN’s network and in speaking with the Administrative Director, Tom Allen. After he completes his volunteer hours, Jason will write a paper on his chosen career path and what the requirements are to successfully enter into this field. He will then give a presentation on what he has learned from the experience to a panel of teachers from Lower Moreland.

Jason plans to graduate from MCCC in May 2012, and transfer to Drexel University for his Bachelor and Masters degrees. He ultimately plans to work in the Computer Network Administration field as a server administrator, preferably at a large corporation.