Students Will Explore Career Opportunities and Programs Available in Allen Parish
Lake Charles, Louisiana – September 22, 2025
SOWELA Oakdale will host 325 area high school students, along with their counselors and teachers, on Thursday, October 16, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the site’s annual Flying Tiger for A Day event.
“We’re thrilled to welcome area high school students to SOWELA Oakdale for our annual Flying Tiger for a Day event,” said SOWELA Oakdale Site Coordinator Magan Soileau. “It’s an exciting opportunity for students to get a hands-on look at our high-demand programs and imagine the bright futures that await them right here in Allen Parish!”
High school students will tour the Oakdale site, meet with faculty and staff and learn about available scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
SOWELA Oakdale offers four face-to-face programs, including Industrial Electrical, Industrial Instrumentation, Practical Nursing and Welding, and online programs in Business Administration, Culinary Arts and Criminal Justice. It currently serves 130 students in Allen Parish.
Earlier this month, SOWELA received a $225,000 investment from ExxonMobil to launch a second STEM Energy Camp for Southwest Louisiana K-12 educators and fund a facility upgrade at SOWELA Oakdale, converting office space into a modern, technology-enhanced area to foster innovation, collaboration and hands-on learning.
For the sixth year in a row, SOWELA is ranked the #1 community college in Louisiana by WalletHub based on Cost & Financing, Education Outcomes and Career Outcomes. According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, SOWELA’s programs lead to 4- and 5-star jobs. The commission bases their rankings on educational requirements, salary and occupational outlook.
For more information about SOWELA Oakdale and how to apply, visit www.sowela.edu/apply or contact the site at (318) 335-3944 or onestop@sowela.edu.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.