Not all teenagers can afford a college education, but some are leaving high school with marketable job skills. Alexis Christoforous visits Automotive High School.
Background talking
>> The road to success begins under the hood at New York's Automotive High School. Background sounds
>> Why would you think that?
>> Students here learn everything from body work to wheel alignment and have a lot of fun along the way.
>> When you love doing something you're gonna wake up proud to do it.
>> Johnny Breonus assumed spelling has other reasons to be proud.
Applause and cheering He graduated second in his class and is heading to college but some of these students need to go straight into the working world and Automotive High gives them the skills.
>> They're going to be able to improve their life circumstances.
>> Some of the students do have it hard. Many come from troubled homes. In fact while we were at the school a boy approached the principle for help.
>> This is really serious.
>> He's just 18 and homeless. A marketable job skill could be a life saver. Technicians are in demand since more drivers are choosing to fix their old cars rather than buy new ones which means during the worst labor market in decades these kids have almost a sure thing. But for Principle Silverman that's just part of the battle. She's helped turn this trade school into something more with a heavy push on academics. Applause All 123 graduates were accepted to college this year. Not everyone can afford to go but the majority of the class will cheering and they're thinking big.
>> I go to be a mechanical and electrical and automotive engineer.
>> Coming from the hood won't change how high I can go.
>> Johnny Breonas plans to pursue a doctorate in forensic science but the automotive field will be his safety net. Alexis Christoforus, CBS News Brooklyn, New York.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.
Forget 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?' If you want to get the real dope on prospective employees, ask job candidates these seven questions.
The AP, which has long blamed Google and other Internet entities for "stealing" its content, obtained an early copy of Sarah Palin's book, scanned it, and started breaking news stories about it five days before it was officially released. Copyright violation? We ask an AP exec.
How’d you like to earn a few thousand dollars for less than an hour of your time? This is no get-rich-quick come-on. The extra income is the potential payoff for making a few simple and painless money moves.
