For many students, the path to discovering a career can be winding and unpredictable. For Chase Rogers, Exeter High School junior, the journey began with a simple fascination: video games. Initially unsure about a future career, he found his calling in the Information Technology (IT) Programming program at the Berks Career and Technology Center (BCTC).
“I was so confused at the beginning of the year,” Chase recalls of his first days in the IT Programming course. “I didn’t have any prior knowledge about computer language or computer code.” His initial assignment—creating a picture box and integer variables—felt overwhelming. However, with the guidance of Mrs. Paulson, BCTC’s IT Programming Instructor, things began to click. “When she got into depth about the code and broke things down, it got easier and fun!”
Fast forward to his second year, and Chase has transformed his confusion into mastery. He now boasts knowledge of eight programming languages, including HTML, Java, C#, JavaScript, Visual Basic (VB), C++, CSS, and Python. His skills have expanded beyond coding; Chase has worked with Unity, a popular 2D/3D game engine, allowing him to design and script functionalities for video games.
In May 2024, he took a significant step by creating his own game package, which includes “Maze” and “Ping Pong.” This package is now utilized by his classmates for quick brain breaks, showcasing not just his programming skills but also his ability to contribute creatively to the learning environment.
But BCTC’s IT Programming isn’t just about coding. “You don’t just learn programming; you learn about the stock markets, business, marketing, and basic resume writing,” Chase explains. “It is a full career path.” The program also covers computer hardware, enabling students to develop problem-solving skills relevant to real-world situations.
As he delves deeper into his studies, his interest has evolved toward cybersecurity. Chase is now engaged with Security+, a program designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. “My parents were very surprised about me going into this field because I didn’t show any interest before,” he admits, highlighting how his passion has developed through his experiences at BCTC.
Currently balancing school and work at Chick-fil-A, Chase appreciates the importance of customer service in any profession. Looking ahead, he plans to gain co-op experience during his senior year, followed by college studies focused on cybersecurity, with aspirations to work for a corporation in the field.