DSUSD Students Explore Career Options Via CTE

Students Study Career Possibilities through Career Technical Education (CTE) Programs

While attending high school, Desert Sands Unified School District high school students in the heart of the Coachella Valley have many career options to explore through a variety of Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.

At Indio High School students may participate in digital media, animal science, engineering and architecture, health and nutrition, computer networking, and ornamental horticulture. Indio’s state-of-the-art facilities provide students with a second-to-none opportunity to learn industry skills that give them a competitive edge.

At La Quinta High School students may participate in culinary, computer networking, medical health, and public service. All Career Technical Education pathways provide students with internship opportunities during their senior year and students have multiple opportunities for community service events and projects throughout the Coachella Valley..

At Palm Desert High School students may participate in film and broadcasting, computer programming, environmental engineering, and health careers. The Film and Broadcasting program is located in a brand new professional television and film studio that includes a news set, green screen wall, and audio booth for podcasting.

At Shadow Hills High School students may participate in aviation, computer programming, education, emergency management, and technology, landscape and management (TLM), one of the longest standing California Partnership Academies (CPA) in Desert Sands Unified School District’s CTE history.  SHHS has a Knights tradition of providing contemporary and cutting edge CTE programs to meet the needs of all student learners.

 

 

Amistad High School welcomes students from all DSUSD high schools to enroll in their Automotive Technology, HVAC, and coming soon, Building and Construction Trades.

In addition, all four traditional high school sites also include military science through either the California Cadet Corps or Junior Air Force ROTC (La Quinta High).

Unlike previous vocational education programs, every CTE course incorporates both academic standards and Career Technical Education standards specific to the industry sector. Students participate in a sequence of courses including introduction, concentrator, and capstone.

CTE teachers hold a specific CTE teaching credential that recognizes their experience in the industry sector. Some CTE teachers also hold a single subject teaching credential in a core subject like science, English, or mathematics.

Many CTE teachers are also adjunct professors with College of the Desert. Their programs offer college credit courses where students earn both college and high school credit upon completion. They also provide a direct connection and head start into similar CTE programs on the college campus.

Most CTE programs include opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning. Local industry partners provide the students with real-world tasks to complete and contribute to their places of business.

In addition, most programs provide certification exams at the end of the course of study that show future employers that their applicants are ready for the workforce. Many students also participate in a Career Technical Student Organization that holds annual competitions nationwide. These organizations also provide career support like interview and resume skills.

Students preparing for college, career, and life need a wide range of opportunities to gain the skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing economy. CTE courses provide both the academic and professional knowledge students need to prosper.

 

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