On Friday, November 7, the Dual Enrollment Team at Skyline College and the Jefferson Union High School District partnered together to host an event to help 8th-grade students from the district learn and explore Career Technical Education (CTE) opportunities.
Career Technical Education opportunities are classes that integrate both job-based skills and academic knowledge to prepare students for post-secondary and career options.
The event is part of JUHSD’s Middle School Partnership initiative, which introduces students to high-school CTE pathways early in their educational journey and supports a smoother transition into college and career preparation.
With support from the Skyline College SPWD team, Dual Enrollment, Student Life/Student Government, and the Promise Scholars Program, students attended a variety of workshops and gained hands-on experience across multiple career pathways.
Students rotated through a wide range of Career Technical Education workshops, each designed to give them a direct look at the skills and pathways available in high school. Programs represented included Computer Science, Patient Care, Engineering, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Business, Construction, Fashion Design, and Dance.
In the Engineering workshop, students collaborated on hands-on challenges while learning basic wiring concepts and working with equipment used in entry-level engineering courses.
In Culinary Arts, they experimented with dessert design and decoration, getting a taste of what it’s like to work creatively in a professional kitchen.
In Digital Media, students headed outdoors with cameras and tablets to capture shapes, textures, and visual elements across campus, practicing foundational skills in composition and storytelling.
The Patient Care workshop introduced students to CPR using medical-grade mannequins and equipment, sparking early interest in health careers.
In Construction, students handled real tools—including hammers and drills—while practicing safety and basic building techniques.
These workshops also allowed students to meet peers from other schools with similar interests but diverse backgrounds. This provided an early introduction to networking as they connected with new teachers and students throughout the district.
Students gained hands-on experience with tools and technologies used in real-world CTE fields, building foundational skills aligned with postsecondary training and career pathways. The workshops gave them the chance to try activities they may not have encountered before, opening up new possibilities and helping them imagine futures they might not have previously considered.
High school students from Westmoor also participated in a student panel, where they spoke about their experiences in CTE courses and how those classes shaped their academic and career planning. Their reflections offered the 8th-graders a clear picture of what CTE looks like in practice and how supportive teachers and hands-on coursework can influence a student’s path through high school. Their stories gave younger students a relatable, firsthand look at the opportunities waiting for them next year.
Students found the event engaging and enjoyable. One student shared, “Thank you, it was so fun.” Another commented, “I really enjoyed it, especially dance!”
At the end of the event, each student received a bag filled with informational handouts, trinkets, and supplies to further encourage career readiness.
Paths to Success created space for meaningful career exploration, connection across schools, and an early understanding of the transition into high school. The day offered students a clear, hands-on glimpse of the opportunities that await them as they enter JUHSD’s CTE pathways next year.
Article Written by Katelyn Pansoy
Photos by Claudia Paz
