As middle school students prepare for freshmen scheduling, high school students showed off different career and tech course options at the annual middle school CTE Fair Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Thursday, Nov. 14, to encourage students to look into different pathways on campus.
Middle school teachers prepare their students before and after the CTE fair with class activities following endorsement curriculum. It is an opportunity for the 8th graders to see where their strengths and interests are before they begin selecting their pathway for high school.
“We are just looking at different career paths that we can take in high school and increase our knowledge about each one,” eigth grade student Karsyn Green said. “My teacher Mrs. Subject, she prepares us by giving us work and lots of information about all these career paths and endorsements. I have found interesting the health science since I want to be an anesthesiologist when I am older.”
This fair provides more than just a chance to explore various pathways, it also offers the opportunity to connect with students who are currently enrolled in these programs. By meeting with peers already in the courses, eighth grader students can gain a clearer sense of what to expect and how the programs may align with their interests.
“We think that is a really great chance for them during class to come down and go from booth to booth and visit with actual students who are in the pathway,” CTE director Angela Wilkinson said. “We really like the message that our students who are in the pathway and have experienced the classes can really portray to the 8th graders to give them a sense of what they can expect if they go into they course. So it’s really cool to watch the eigth grade students come in here and go from table to table and see their eyes light up.”
The outreach allows high school students to showcase their experiences and share personal insights into the pathways they’ve chosen. This direct interaction gives middle schoolers a better understanding of what each career path entails, straight from their peers.
“I am presenting with the CTE at Aledo Middle School for engineering,” junior Noah Nottingham said. “We are talking about how useful engineering can be for just general skills and how interesting the classes are. I have enjoyed it, some kids aren’t interested, but you win some, you lose some.”
The CTE Fair provides students with the chance to explore different career pathways and see where their skills and interests align, helping them make informed decisions about their future. By reflecting on their experiences and involving their families in the process, students can confidently select the pathways that best fit their goals and passions.
