Less than one year out of Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES CTE program at WEMOCO, former student James McArdle visited the Auto Body and Collision Repair Technology class to talk to current students about his career development. When he was at WEMOCO last year, McArdle had a co-op assignment with Spurr Dealerships. Today he is one of three auto body painters at the dealership.

McArdle started as a detailer and thanks to his skills moved rapidly into a full-time painting position. One of his two department co-workers is also a former student of CTE teacher Dan Boyler from a previous school. McArdle and Boyler discussed the ready availability of professional opportunities in the auto body field for students who are responsible and open to learning in this ever-changing occupation.