Career Portals: Window to the Future

By Dr. Violet Dickson

Cluster Specialist

Arts, AV Technology & Communications

Information Technology 

About a month ago, I took my 16-year-old grandson to visit the Graphic Design and Illustration class at the LaGrone Advanced Technology Complex in Denton ISD. Garret had taken some art classes during his freshman and sophomore years and had expressed an interest in graphics design, but he really didn’t know anything about the CTE program or what it had to offer. As a cluster specialist for the Arts, AV Technology and Communications Cluster, I wanted to make sure that my grandson had the opportunity to explore the possibilities that were available to him through the CTE program in his school district, so he could make an informed decision regarding his career focus.  

After his initial visit to Mrs. Wilson’s graphics design class, he was - in his words – “Stoked!”

She explained how the CTE program worked, gave him an overview of what he could expect in her class, and showed him many professional-looking projects that her students had completed. She also showed him examples of things he would learn to do with the computer software programs that were available to students in her class. The classroom visit was followed by family discussions at home, online research to find out more about the local CTE program, and a preliminary and a final meeting with his school counselor.

I am very proud to say that Garret made the decision this past week and finalized the scheduling changes so he could enroll in the CTE program in the fall, with the purpose of focusing on Graphic Design and Illustration in the Arts, AV Technology and Communications Cluster.

This experience got me to thinking about the incredible opportunities CTE programs offer students every day. Today’s CTE programs are a far cry from the vocational education courses that were available in my day.  CTE courses are designed to meet the needs of today’s students in a global economy and a digital age and to prepare them for success in college and careers by equipping them with “the academic knowledge—as well as the technical and employability skills—they need to find productive careers and lead fulfilling lives.” Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education (http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/02/celebrating-cte-month/).

The following is an excerpt from a CTE “fact sheet” provided by the Association for Career and Technical Education (www.acteonline.org).

What is Career and Technical Education?

1. Encompasses 94 percent of high school students and 12 million postsecondary students.
2. Includes high schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, four-year universities and more
3. Educates students for a range of career options through 16 Career Clusters® and 79+ pathways
4. Integrates with academics in a rigorous and relevant curriculum
5. Features high school and postsecondary partnerships, enabling clear pathways to certifications and degrees
6. Fulfills employer needs in high-skill, high-wage, high-demand areas
7. Prepares students to be college- and career-ready by providing core academic skills, employability skills and technical, job-specific skills

When you consider all the benefits of being in a CTE program, you may wonder what we can do to inform students, parents, and teachers and make them aware of the college and career possibilities that are available through CTE.

Well… in addition to working on new advanced-level practicums for the CTE career clusters, the UNT Education Excellence grant team members have also been working this year to develop a year-long Career Portals course for 8^th grade students. The Portals course will provide teachers with exciting and engaging lessons that guide students through a year of career exploration by investigating a different career cluster every two weeks. 

The Career Portals Module is filled with lesson plans for teachers that include step-by-step, hands-on activities that introduce students to various career possibilities. Students learn how to write resumes, develop portfolios, research career and college requirements, and participate in “engaging” activities that allow them to sample many different careers from each of the career clusters.

I’m excited about all of the work we’ve done this year and the new resources that will be available for teachers in the fall through this website: www.cte.unt.edu - New advanced-level practicums for the CTE career clusters and a new year-long Career Portals Module that will hopefully open the “Window” to many students’ future!