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Central Carolina Community College students Jamie Yeatman (left), of Dunn, and David Nettleton, of Broadway, test a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) Laser in the college’s Laser and Photonics lab. High-powered laser demonstrations impressed visitors to the Laser and Photonics Technology program’s May 7 open house at the Harnett County Campus, in Lillington. Prospective students toured the program’s classrooms and labs, found out about high-paying, professional career opportunities in the fields of lasers and photonics, and how to train for them. They also learned that, even during these tough economic times of high unemployment, the program’s second-year students received signed employment offers in March effective upon their graduation in May. There are only about 15 laser and photonics technician-training programs at community colleges in the United States. Central Carolina C.C. is one of about 10 that offer training on high-powered lasers. First and second year students, as well as previous graduates working in the local area, helped with the open house. To learn more about the Laser and Photonics Technology program, contact lead instructor Gary Beasley at (910) 814-8828, or by email at gbeasley@cccc.edu.