Gwinnett County Public Schools: #ExploreYourFuture: February Is Career And Technical Education Month!

Press release from Gwinnett County Public Schools:

02.15.21

When it comes to entering the workforce, the vast majority of our students will need some form of postsecondary study beyond high school, whether that’s a certification program, a trade school, a two-year technical college, or a four-year university degree or beyond. And that’s where GCPS’ cutting-edge, rigorous, and relevant Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs come in, preparing students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, in-demand careers with real-life opportunities to explore the world of work and explore their future! As a result, they are more engaged in their studies, perform better in the classroom, and graduate at higher rates.

Gwinnett County Public Schools offers more than 60 CTE pathways with nearly every high school offering deep exploration into STEM, marketing and entrepreneurship, broadcasting and film, and health science careers—all industries with in-demand, high-wage, and high-skill jobs. Students start their career exploration as early as 6th grade, with dynamic research tools such as Virtual Job Shadow and CTE Connections programs in middle school. Students who complete a pathway—three consecutive courses concentrated in one career area—are eligible to earn industry-recognized credentials that offer an instant résumé boost to a GCPS graduate.

Students in Gwinnett’s CTE programs experience hands-on, relevant instruction, exposure to industry professionals, and job shadowing and internship opportunities that better prepare them for life and success after high school. CTE students have the opportunity to get a jump-start on a career with work-based learning and the chance to test for real-world, industry recognized credentials. Through dual enrollment, students may opt to take classes with a local college or technical school and receive dual credit for college and high school.

#CTEDelivers, #ExploreYourFuture

GCPS CTE students explore their future

In these short profiles, meet a few of our CTE students and see how their classroom experiences are preparing them for the work world and their future success!

Sophia: Classroom + experience = a future in architecture

For Sophia, a senior at Brookwood HS and a student in the Architectural Drawing and Design Program at Maxwell HS of Technology, a hands-on work opportunity helped her give back to her home school. As an intern with Lindsay Pope Brayfield & Assocs., Inc. (LPB), Sophia worked on a design project for an expansion project at Brookwood and she’s now working on a Lanier HS design project. (LPB has designed a host of familiar buildings in the community, including schools, libraries, and fire stations.) Click here to learn more about Sophia’s CTE experience.

Trase: Harnessing the power of an entrepreneurial mindset

Trase’s business was already getting off the ground when he entered the Entrepreneurship Program at South Gwinnett HS. Established in 2018, Tray Productions Photography focuses on capturing special moments for his target audience—students, families, and friends. But why take an entrepreneurship class when he already had launched a business? Trase says, “I wanted to learn the many aspects of business and apply what I’ve learned to my company.” Click here to learn more about Trase’s CTE experience.

Natalia: Following path to career in healthcare

A McClure Health Science HS senior, Natalia has already started down the pathway to the future she wants in emergency medicine… a pathway “paved” with professional certifications and hands-on work opportunities. Natalia says she was drawn to the healthcare sciences because she’s fascinated with saving lives, and has found that pursuing a CTE Pathway at McClure offers her so many options. Click here to learn more about Natalia’s CTE experience.

Lexi: A young woman finding her place in the world of STEM

STEM fields—those in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—traditionally have been a man’s world. However, more and more young women like Lexi—a Lanier HS senior and aspiring industrial engineer—are considering STEM careers, thanks to programs like Lanier’sCenter for Design and Technology (CDAT). CDAT is now in its 10th year and serving about 400 Lanier students. Click here to learn more about Lexi’s CTE experience.

Amanuel: Taking steps toward dream career in medicine

Dr. Zawudie, paging Dr. Zawudie… that’s a dream that Amanuel has had since childhood. He says healthcare classes in the Wellness, Health, and Education Academy at Shiloh HS and an internship with Peachtree Immediate Care are the next steps he’s taking toward his dream career of being a physician. Click here to learn more about Amanuel’s CTE experience.

This press release was produced by Gwinnett County Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.