Salem High Career Fair Creates Connection With CTE Program

SALEM, MA —Three Salem High School seniors in the Career and Technical Education program are exploring the path that Principal Glenn Burns recently told the School Committee was the school's mission for its students.

"Our goal is not just to get a kid a diploma," Burns said during the high school progress report. "It's to get them college and career ready."

Salem CTE and Co-Op Director Mario Sousa said that's exactly what's happening in the school's Certified Clinical Medical Assistant track where three high school seniors have lined up jobs upon graduation as they look to attend college as well.

"These three young ladies are starting at getting paid between $18 and $23 an hour in local doctor's offices," Sousa said told Patch on Tuesday. "They passed the exam and can start working right away. Then they mentioned that they speak another language and were able to get another couple of bucks for that.

"It is something where you can start earning money right out of high school before you go to college so you can move up the pay scale in your industry."

It's a much different landscape than what Sousa said he faced when he was a CTE student in Somerville two decades ago.

"There has been a huge shift," he said. "When I was in school, it was (the thought) that this kid is an immigrant, and there is probably no money there to go to college, so put him in the CTE program. Or, this is not really a student, so put him in CTE so he has a chance at a good life.

"A lot has changed."

Now, students who take CTE courses make up 54 percent of the Salem High student body where students can take a dual track of comprehensive high school courses and CTE certificate courses as they determine which path is best for them.

"We are really pushing CTE in Salem and exposing them to the opportunities they have here," Sousa said. "We are showing them there is comprehensive and technical education right here in Salem instead of going out of the city to a place like Essex Tech. We want to encourage them to consider staying here before applying someplace else.:

As Sousa helps grow the CTE program, he is hoping events like Thursday's CTE career fair will build the connections that will allow students to get paying co-ops and part-time work while still in school so they can walk right into a full-time job when they graduate.

The "Hunting for Success" job fair set for Thursday will feature a scavenger hunt complete with prizes and interactive activities to enable students to explore careers and practice their professional communication skills.

More than 50 leaders from Salem's business, nonprofit and government organizations will be attending, including State Rep. Paul Tucker, Salem Hospital, Peabody Essex Museum, Laborers Local 22, Groom Construction, Root, the Hawthorne Hotel and members of the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

"One of the purposes is to try to grow more partnerships with some of these local organizations and businesses," Sousa said.

Sousa said CTE students who do plan to go to college can be involved in programs that gain them college credit while they are at Salem High, New Liberty Innovation or Salem Prep. A collaboration with North Shore Community College allows students in the medical assistant program to take two courses at NSCC, with courses also offered in carpentry, electrical, and building and property maintenance.

"These kids graduate with their CTE certificate and three, six or nine credits for college completion," Sousa said.

Any North Shore nonprofit organization, business or union interested in becoming part of the Salem High partnership and a future career fair is encouraged to contact Sousa at 978-745-9300, Ext. 65545.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)