AMHERST, Ohio–From economics to the arts, there’s a lot to learn at Amherst Steele High School.
Yet, students in one classroom aren’t just learning about business–they’re actually running one: Comet Computing.
“It’s a two-year program where students get to build computers and networks,” said Joe Todd, instructor for the information technology classes at the school. “Students get real hands-on labs. Instead of doing a lab, where you know “I’m going to be able to do this,” something may come in and it may not be able to be fixed.”
Each student goes through a computer certification process, putting them at the level of people who’ve been in the field for a year, Todd said.
Students run the business in its entirety, from shift managers to public relations.
“We get a lot of laptops,” said manager Jakob Szabo. “If something’s wrong with them, you can take them apart. We have desktops like that over there, we have a touch PC. It’s a range of jobs.”
A donation-only service, Comet Computing has been a part of the Amherst community for 10 years.
“It’s saving you money and helping us as a class learn about computers so it’s kind of a win-win,” said marketing manager Michael Tornabene.
Though the students are still learning how to repair everything that comes their way, technician John Reid said the class has many advantages.
“That’s the nice thing about it,” Reid said. “Instead of being in your own little business, where it’s just you, you have 23 other people that could possibly fix it.”
For a few hours every school day, the students tackle the repairs sent into the lab–with a few surprises a long the way.
“There was a beehive in one of the computers,” Reid said.” It’s crazy what you can get inside the computer. Every day is a surprise.”
It’s a class-turned-business, and some hope it will lead to opportunities beyond graduation.
“Computer is a big industry. It’s growing every day,” said technician David Stump. “Taking this class, you could have a semester of college already done. Having that knowledge over somebody else, it’s a plus.”
Comet Computing will continue accepting work until May 12. Service will resume when school begins for the fall term.
For more information on Comet Computing, click here.