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Engineering Success at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado 

Stories & Spotlights
Aircraft cockpit panel with various digital screens, gauges, and control knobs.

At just 17 years old, Jamie, better known as JJ, is already charting a bold course toward a future in technology and innovation. A graduate of Destinations Career Academy of Colorado, JJ isn’t just dreaming big, she’s building her legacy one project at a time. 

JJ’s journey at Destinations Career Academy of Colorado began during the pandemic. Navigating health concerns in the family and a traditional school setting that wasn’t quite the right fit, JJ and her parents sought a safer, more balanced option. 

Before switching to online school, JJ scored mostly Bs and Cs. Adjusting to Destinations Career Academy of Colorado’s personalized approach, she began to thrive. She immersed herself in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, gravitating toward engineering and earning an Adobe Photoshop certification along the way.  

JJ shared that the structure of online learning helped her find the balance she needed to excel both academically and professionally. JJ graduated early in August of 2024 and began her college journey at Red Rocks Community College with plans to transfer to the Colorado School of Mines to pursue aerospace and mechanical engineering.

Describing herself as a future female Steve Jobs, JJ has a résumé that rivals professionals twice her age. She’s the only female auto glass technician at her shop, an avionic technician at ConexSmart LLC, and has a pin collector prototype currently pending patent approval. Additionally, she boasts an impressive creative side with artwork that has been featured in the Evergreen Art Gallery.

Close-up of two red suction cups attached to a glass surface.

Her passion for tech, however, started early. At just 8 years old, she built her first PC alongside her dad. By age 10, she’d already claimed a Science Fair win. Through longboarding, sketching, and diving into digital art, JJ’s creativity and curiosity fuel everything she does. Whether she’s tinkering with avionics, pursuing patents, or blazing a trail for women in STEM, JJ is living proof that with passion and the right support, anything is possible. 

Ready to explore your future in STEM? Discover how Destinations Career Academy of Colorado empowers students like JJ to turn passion into success.

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