More Cool & Unusual Careers Your Teen Can Prepare for in High School
10 MORE Career & College Promise CTE pathways you haven't heard of (Part 2)
A few weeks ago, I posted this piece about some of the unique and interesting CTE pathways high school students in North Carolina can access through the Career and College Promise program. These pathways lead toward a diploma, certificate, or other credential and prepare teens for careers in a wide range of fields. Get a jump on some of these courses now and your teen can be employable right out of the high school gate!
If you need a refresher on Career and College Promise or CTE pathways, what they are and how they work, check out the link above. When you’re caught up, let’s dive in and look at some new and exciting opportunities for students with all kinds of strengths, aptitudes, and passions!
1. Zoological Horticulture
Offered at: Randolph Community College
For a teen who’s always loved tinkering in the family garden and visits to the zoo, this program might be a dream come true! RCC’s unique Zoological Horticulture program partners with the NC Zoo in Asheboro to let students gain real-world experience. Program participants will practice caring for and designing plants within the animal habitats. The Zoological Horticulture certificate is part of the wider Agribusiness Technology program, which equips students for careers in agricultural supply, farm operations, nursery operations, environmental and agricultural education, and more.
2. Biomedical Equipment Technology
Offered at: Caldwell Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Stanly Community College
The complex equipment used in the healthcare industry is critical — keeping it running smoothly could mean the difference between life and death! The Biomedical Equipment Technology program produces skilled workers who provide the vital service of installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and operating these sophisticated machines. Students who complete the path, followed by the AAS degree and two years of industry experience can become certified as a biomedical equipment technician.
3. Laser & Photonics Technology
Offered at: Central Carolina Community College
CCCC’s Laser & Photonics Technology program is the only one of its kind on the east coast! Students learn how to control light and electrical energy for applications ranging from weapons systems to medical instruments to telecommunications and go on to work in career tracks that include research, design, manufacturing, sales, and field service. Graduates earn starting salaries from $45,000 to $60,000 and up.
4. Sustainability/Photovoltaic Technology
Offered at: Central Piedmont Community College, Fayetteville Tech
Join the Green revolution! These pathways (labeled Sustainability Technologies at CPCC and Photovoltaic Systems at Fayetteville Tech) introduce students to the technology of converting solar energy into electricity. They learn how to install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as such topics as site analysis, building codes, renewable energy modeling, energy management, and weatherization.
5. Boat Building
Offered at: Beaufort County Community College, Cape Fear Community College, Carteret Community College
If your teen was born to be on the water, Boat Building could be the ticket. This pathway teaches the basics of boat design, including reading marine blueprints, lofting, constructing forms, moldmaking, marine woodworking, interior finishing, and cosmetic and structural repair. Students can prepare for a career as a highly skilled craftsperson working for boat or yacht manufacturers, custom boat builders, service yards, and dealerships, as well as in other industries such as furniture and millwork.
6. ASL Interpreter
Offered at: Blue Ridge Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, Wilson Community College
Students who are interested in deaf culture and education may find a home in the Interpreter Education: ASL pathway, which can lead to an Associate of Applied Science degree. This pathway equips students to communicate with deaf people, and completion of the degree will qualify them to work as entry-level Sign Language interpreters, providing communication access for those in need in government, healthcare, and other settings.
7. Hunting & Shooting Sports Management
Offered at: Montgomery Community College
If you’ve ever despaired that your teen would rather be in a deer stand than at a desk doing his math lesson, Montgomery’s Hunting and Shooting Sports Management program could be your dream come true. This pathway prepares students to work in the multimilllion-dollar hunting and shooting sports retail industry. They study such topics as gunsmithing, merchandising, advertising and sales, sports hunting, and gun shop management. Graduates are prepared for employment in retail establishments, shooting sports businesses, and equipment manufacturing.
8. Interior Design
Offered at: Cape Fear Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Randolph Community College, Wake Tech
Interior design students learn how to make residential and commercial spaces appealing, functional, and safe, with a focus on sustainability. Topics include drafting and presentational drawings, textiles, and product and furniture design. Students will also work on developing their professional portfolios. Interior designers work in a variety of settings, including real estate, entertainment, government, visual merchandising, and sales and marketing.
9. Addiction Recovery
Offered at: Stanly Community College, Western Piedmont Community College,
Does your teen have a heart for helping others overcome addiction? The Addiction Recovery pathway, part of the Human Services Technology program, equips students to become drug and alcohol counselors, work as prevention educators, help clients in recovery, manage community-based programs, or pursue a four-year degree. Graduates who gain clinical experience can become certified by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Board.
10. Geomatics/Geospatial Technology
Offered at: Central Piedmont Community College, Edgecombe Community College, Sandhills Community College, Wake Tech
Geomatics and Geospatial Technology pathways prepare students to work in fields utilizing geographic data and geographic information systems, including utility, commercial, research, and government industries. Topics covered include computer-assisted cartography, map design and layout, photogrammetry, air photo interpretation, remote sensing, spatial analysis, geodesy, and global navigation satellite system technology. These pathways also equip students to earn industry and government certifications such as the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Where to Go From Here
While these pathways are only offered at a handful of schools, the beauty of CCP is that it allows students to take classes at any community college in the state. Some of these programs may require in-person work, meaning you’ll need to live within driving distance. But others, like Edgecombe’s Geospatial Technology, are fully online, so it doesn’t matter if you live in Manteo or Murphy or anywhere in between!
The credentials above may also be offered at other schools, but some colleges only make certain programs available to CCP students. The programs and colleges listed here are all available to high schoolers via CCP.
For more about the Career and College Promise program, including eligibility requirements, check out my post below:
Intro to Dual Enrollment Using Career & College Promise
If you’re looking to save time and money on post-secondary education, dual enrollment is one of the most effective ways to do so. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college and vocational courses for high school credit. College courses can culminate in a two- or four-year degree, and vocational courses…
Is your teen interested in a CTE Pathway? Share it in the comments! And if you’re looking for options for a hard-to-fit student, drop me a line. I may be able to make some suggestions!
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