Hinds Community College Blog

What do you want to be when you grow up? You might need to get past thinking “what pays the most” and think about what drives you. What are your real interests and passions in life?  Are you creative? Do you possess dexterity, physical strength, and stamina? Do you have a command of basic math skills? If you said answered "yes" to any of the previous questions, you might want to consider the Brick, Block and Stonemasonry Technology program at Hinds Community College.

The Brick, Block, and Stonemasonry program offers learning experiences in the following areas:

• laying out and/or spacing bonds

• determining vertical and horizontal alignment of various walls using proven techniques

• cutting, notching, and shaping blocks, bricks, and stone to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, and fireplaces. 

All types of masons are involved in the construction of durable buildings and exteriors. Their work is varied, and could be as simple as laying a stone path or as complicated as installing an elaborate surface on a major downtown building. Masons use bricks, concrete blocks, and natural stones to build fences, walkways, walls, and other structures.

 There are two main types of masons:

• Brickmasons, blockmasons, and bricklayers use various types of brick and block as well as other materials to construct and maintain walls, exteriors, fireplaces, walkways, etc., out of brick or block.

• Stonemasons generally construct floors, fences, walls, or exteriors for residential or professional buildings.  They use many types of stone, including both natural cut stone and manmade stone. 

Masons can: 

• Read blueprints to calculate materials needed

• Lay out foundations or patterns

• Safely cut or break bricks, stones, or blocks to their appropriate size

• Mix and place mortar and/or grout

• Lay bricks, blocks, or stones according to blueprints or drawings

• Safely clean excess mortar using chemical cleaning agents

• Construct corners with a corner pole or by building a corner pyramid

• Ensure that a structure is perfectly vertical and horizontal, using methods consistent with industry techniques

• Clean and polish surfaces with the safe use of  hand or power tools

• Fill expansion and contraction joints with the appropriate caulking materials

• Layout and construct walls with expansion and control joints

What About Job Opportunities?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of masons is projected to grow 40 percent from 2010 to 2020. This growth is due to an increase in population, which will create a need for infrastructure such as new home construction, schools, hospitals and apartment buildings. The masonry workforce is growing older and a large number of masons are expected to retire over the next decade. As a result, a shortage of workers is expected. Highly skilled masons with a good job history and work experience in construction should have the best job opportunities.

Students will find the Brick, Block, and Stone Masonry program a reliable and thorough training ground for employment in the construction industry. The program has an excellent reputation with local firms looking for skilled workers and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Typical jobs filled by students who have completed this program include laborers, mason tenders, apprentice brick masons, block masons, and stonemasons (or, simply, masons). In addition, many are self-employed contractors. 

What Are My Degree Options?

Degree options in the Brick, Block, and Stone Masonry program include a Career Certificate option, Technical Certificate option and AAS Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science degree, a Technical Certificate, a Career Certificate, and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market. 

Need More Information? 

This program is offered at the Raymond and Utica campuses of Hinds Community College.  For more information, contact Dennis Quertermous (Raymond Campus) at 601.857.3376 or Rodney Warfield (Utica Campus) at 601.885.7009. 

 

 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Are you a teenager or adult who has absolutely no clue as to what you want to be or how to get there? Choose something that you really enjoy doing: Are you always styling someone’s hair for prom or social occasions? Do you enjoy people, listening to their wants, needs or problems?  Are you creative? Always keeping current with the latest styles and creating some of your own? If so, then maybe a barber/stylist program is something you should look into.

The Barber/Stylist program on the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College prepares you to cut hair using shears and clippers, perm, color, relax and style hair. You will also receive training in facials and straight-razor shaving. Special attention is given to hygiene, safety, skin, scalp, and disease and equipment sterilization.

Included in the program is the study of sales, business management, and state law and customer relationships. Upon completing the program and its coursework, students will be qualified to take the State Barber Board certification examination.

What Barber/Stylists do?

Barbers/stylists perform a variety of tasks making it a versatile occupation. For example, barbers/stylists must concentrate on a client’s appearance and then provide hair and beauty services. Salon owners also are responsible for keeping business records, ordering supplies, advertising, as well as hiring, firing and supervising their employees. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of hair services such as shampooing, clipper and shear cutting, coloring and styling. 

• Recommend treatment by inspecting hair, face, and scalp,

• Discuss hairstyle options

• Wash, condition and color hair

• Cut or trim, dry, and style hair

• Clean and sanitize all tools and work areas

   

• Creativity
   
• Customer-service skills
   
• Listening skills
   
• Time-management skills

 

Will I Be Able To Find A Job?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, and shampooers is expected to grow 14 percent from 2010 to 2020, as fast as the average for all occupations.

Students will find the Barber/Stylist program at Hinds Community College a reliable and thorough training ground for employment in the field of barbering. The program has an excellent reputation with local salons looking for talented and creative stylists and placement of students who complete the program is a top priority. Typical positions filled by students who have completed the program include barbers, hair stylists and shampooers. 

What Type of Degree Will I Receive?

Degree options in the Barber/Stylist Technology program include a Technical Certificate option and AASOE Degree option. All program options are written to nationally recognized, industry-based certifications. The goal is for the student to earn a “credential of value” during their time at the community college. That “credential of value” is the Associate of Applied Science of Occupational Education degree, a Technical Certificate and/or license/certification recognized by business and industry. The credential should be a step along a career pathway offering students ongoing opportunities to increase their earning potential in the job market. 

This CTE program is offered only at the Raymond Campus of Hinds Community College. For more information on this program, contact one of the program instructors:

 Dana Bowles (Dana.Bowles@hinsdcc.edu) at 601.857.3500

Cady Scott (Catherine.Scott2@hindscc.edu) at 601.857.3308 

Student recipients of the “Outstanding Student Awards” presented on April 11, 2014 at Students Awards Day were selected by the faculty in the various departments across the district. Here on the Raymond campus our Career Technical Education students receiving awards are especially special to us and we would like to recognize their superior achievement within their subject area by letting you get to know them a little better. Here are a few of their instructors’ comments and thoughts from awards day concerning their students. 

John Mark Kirby - Agriculture

John Mark Kirby is the recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agriculture. While at Hinds he has been an active member of the HCC Agriculture Club and Phi Theta Kappa. Kirby is also a Dean’s Scholar. During his spare time, John Mark has participated in Intramural Sports at the college. John Mark is the recipient of a Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship and has assisted the Cattlemen’s Association with projects including helping with the Beef Booth at the Mississippi State Fair.

John Mark has started his own cattle herd and is responsible for the care and maintenance of the cattle and pasture that is required for them. After completing his degree at Hinds he plans to transfer to Mississippi State to continue his education in Agriculture Information Science. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor, said, “I am excited about his possible contributions to the Industry in the future.”

John Mark is the son of Lea and Tim Kirby of Raymond.  He is a graduate of Central Hinds Academy where he was All District in football and received the Cougar Spirit Award.  John Mark was an active member of the Hinds County Livestock Club for a number of years where he exhibited champion livestock at the Hinds County Livestock Show, Southwest Mississippi Show and Dixie National Roundup. He was president of the 4H Hinds County Livestock Club from 2010-2013. 

 

Tandon Baker - Agribusiness Management Technology

Tandon Baker is recipient of the “Outstanding Student Award” for Agribusiness Management Technology. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and HCC Agriculture Club. Tandon is a Dean’s Scholar with a cumulative GPA of 3.76.

 

Tandon plans to continue his education at a university majoring in Agronomy upon graduation from Hinds. His career goal is to become involved in the field of Agriculture Supplies and Sales. He has been awarded the Tallulah Mason’s Honesty and Integrity Award. Dr. Roger Jones, Agriculture Department Chair and Instructor said, “Upon getting to know Tandon it is not hard to understand why.  If you want his honest opinion on a topic, just ask him and that’s exactly what you get and you learn to appreciate that about him. I know his contributions in the field of agriculture in the future will be many.”

Tandon is the son of Vicki and John Edward Baker from Tallulah, Louisiana. He graduated from Tallulah Academy where he was All District and Defensive MVP in football. A multiple sport player, Tandon was also All District in baseball and basketball.  

Cory Pritchard - Aviation Maintenance

The Aviation Maintenance Technology Program proudly recognizes Cory Pritchard with its Superior Achievement Award for 2013-2014. According to Marion Eifling, Air Frame Power Plant Instructor, students in Aviation Maintenance are unique. Usually, from a young age, they have had a desire to be around airplanes, leading them to a professional career in the aerospace industry. Cory Pritchard is pursuing his associate degree in AviationMaintenance Technology.  While a student at Hinds, he is also working as a full-time employee of L-3, an aerospace systems organization. As expected of all students in the program, he is of exceptional integrity, high moral character and a responsible individual with dependable work ethics. We selected this individual because of the initiative he takes as he participates in the classroom and hangar work projects. He can always be depended upon to be on time and present for work and accomplishes assigned tasks with skill and minimal supervision.  His quiet demeanor, dedication and professionalism are traits that make him stand out among his peers. 

Tracey Blocker - Interpreter Training Technology

Sandra Hester, Interpreter Training Department Chairperson, presented the Interpreter Training Technology “Outstanding Student Award” to Tracy Blocker. Tracy is what we call a “non-traditional” student but she is also oneof the most “traditional” students I have ever had the pleasure of having. While Tracey waited until her daughter was ready for college to return to pursue her own degree, Tracey wasn’t wasting time. And she doesn’t waste it now. With a 4.0 GPA and being a member of the PTK and very active in her church, Ridgecrest Baptist Church, she tries to do it all. And pretty much succeeds. She is a favorite with her teachers as well as her peers, due to her willingness to work and help others. Tracey has already taken the state exam for interpreters and has received a QA Level 2! She also has a job lined up after graduation, where else but here at Hinds as an interpreter with the Disability Support Services Office. She has worked hard and is now reaping the benefits. 

Craig Gilbert - Land Surveying

Jeff Lewis, Drafting and Design instructor and PLS, presented the “Outstanding Student Award” to Craig Gilbert. Craig is a Land Surveying Major in the Drafting and Design Program and will graduate in May. He is an exceptional student. He always gives 110% in all of his study efforts, which is reflected in his grades. He does everything to insure that he understands the material; including staying late, asking questions or anything else he feels can help him achieve his goals. Quick story:  The only time he didn’t do well on a test is after he met his current girlfriend Clair. He came into class looking all confused on test day. I asked him what’s wrong; he said “I think I’m in love”. That was not his best test grade.

He is the recipient of:

National Society of Professional Surveyors Berntsen International Scholarship.

• The Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors Scholarship.

• Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society.

• Made the dean’s list every semester here at Hinds.

It has truly been a pleasure having Craig in the Land Surveying Program and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors.