Remember when you were little and daydreamed about all the possibilities of what you could become when you grew up? Some of us probably hoped to become doctors, firefighters, veterinarians, or teachers, while others dreamed of becoming princesses, fairies, cartoon characters, or superheroes. While some of those "careers" may not be possible (unless you're Meghan Markle or get bitten by a rogue spider), the good news is, hundreds of other career options are still within reach and probably a lot closer than you may realize!
Career and Technical Centers (CTCs) help students achieve a wide variety of career dreams each and every day. In Pennsylvania, we have over 80 career and technical education centers across the Commonwealth. There isn't a one-size-fits-all postsecondary path for every high school student, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers students the opportunity to explore career fields they're interested in while developing critical skills through a combination of hands-on learning experiences and classroom instruction.
Thousands of students across Pennsylvania are already enrolled in CTE, developing technical, academic, and employability skills and engaging in work-based experiences with industry partners. During the 2020-21 school year, Pennsylvania had more than 57,000 secondary CTE participants and more than 62,000 postsecondary CTE participants. Both youth and adult learners in CTE programs are more engaged, graduate high school at higher rates, earn industry-recognized credentials, and are on the path to discovering rewarding careers.
And now it's an extra great time to talk about CTE, because it's CTE Month! Every February, the CTE community celebrates CTE Month to raise awareness of the role that CTE has in readying learners for their future, whether they decide to go to college, join the military, or enter the workforce.
You may be thinking, "Sounds great, but how does CTE relate to what I wanted to be as a child?" Let's talk about our childhood dreams again and how CTCs can help us fulfill them. Whether you're interested in a career in health care, construction, or technology, CTCs have it all and more. With CTE you can turn your childhood dreams into realities.
Still interested in becoming a:
- Veterinarian? Checkout your local CTC's Veterinary Assistant program!
- Doctor? Check out your local CTC's Medical Assistant program!
- Firefighter or Police Officer? Check out your local CTC's Emergency and Protective Services program!
- Video Game Designer? Check out a program in Visual Arts or Information Technology at your local CTC!
Although CTCs haven't yet figured out how to fulfill our childhood dreams of becoming princesses, cartoon characters, or superheroes, there are countless possibilities and careers available to explore through career and technical education, so check out your local CTC to see what all the hype is about!