CareerTech Champions
Steven Rogers – DECA, High Plains Technology Center
Technology center instructor literally grew up in the CareerTech family.
THEN: As a small child, Steven Rogers says, he ran the hallways of High Plains Technology Center while his dad taught in a classroom there. Having grown up on that campus, it wasn’t much of a stretch for him to take classes there as soon as he was old 
enough.
Steven chose marketing and management classes at High Plains Tech and joined DECA, the CareerTech student organization for marketing students.
He said his two years in DECA taught him:
- Public speaking, through competitions and events.
- The importance of good customer service.
- How to be more self-confident, something his marketing instructor emphasized.
- Business management skills.
After graduation, Steven used those management skills to open three businesses in five years.
“I think students coming out of CareerTech have a better understanding of the mechanics of a business,” he said.
NOW: Steven needed to make a career change for personal reasons and decided to join the High Plains family once again, this time as an instructor. He was denied that opportunity three times, but he did not give up. With his fourth application, Steven was hired.
“I have a passion for teaching, and I love the CareerTech family as my own,” he said.
Steven is now the industrial coordinator at High Plains Tech. Also a fireman and EMT, Steven teaches fire, industrial and wind rescue classes.
“CareerTech helps students develop strong work ethics.” Steven Rogers