February Community
Is Your Student "Future-Ready"?
The Career "Test Drive": High-Tech Experience While It’s Free
We want every student to feel confident about their future. One of the best ways to build that confidence is through "real-world" experience. Best of all? In high school, these life-changing experiences are free.
A Real-World Test Drive
Recently, Chemistry teacher Paul Hardy and Health Science teacher Maryssa Hunsaker teamed up to show students what their future could look like. They visited with a local surgeon to see how modern technology is changing healthcare.
Hands-On Learning: Students didn't just look at a screen; they operated a $50,000 surgical robot.
The "Aha!" Moment: One student discovered a passion for Surgical Robotics. He found a career path he never knew existed by simply getting to hold the controls.
The Power of the "Free Trial"
Through our CTE Internship class, students can spend a trimester shadowing professionals in their actual workplaces. We call this a "Free Trial" because it lets students test a career before they leave high school.
Finding the Right Fit: One student shadowed a Veterinarian and realized she actually loved the work of a Vet-Tech. She found a path she was excited about by trying it out first-hand.
Total Certainty: Another student shadowed a complex 10-hour surgery. The experience was intense, but it made her even more sure that she wanted to pursue a career as an Anesthesiologist.
Why Experience Matters Now
Whether your student is headed to a university, a technical school, or straight into the workforce, these experiences provide two huge advantages:
Confidence in the Path: It feels good to graduate knowing you've actually seen the job you're heading toward.
Professional Connections: Our students are meeting local doctors, engineers, and tech experts today. Dr. Marshall told the students that "making connections" is one of the most important things they can do for their future.
Let’s Start the Conversation
Is your student looking for their "why"? Ask a school counselor about CTE Pathways or the Internship program. Let’s work together to help your student find a path they love!
CCSD Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are open to all students and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.