In FCPS we are lucky enough to have access to the Career & Technology Center (CTC). Students can apply to these programs and, if they get accepted, enroll in the class. We see the bus go off and take the students everyday, but what really goes on at CTC?
Students in this program go to it in either the first half of their school day or the second half. Meaning they have to give up their elective blocks. How do students feel about this? Is it all worth it?
Ana Kenst (Class of 2025), who is enrolled in the Academy of Health Professions (AOHP), believes that it’s worth giving up part of your day for CTC, saying, “ I don’t really think of it as ‘half of my day taken away’. I feel that it helps break up my day, it goes by so fast! It helps that I really enjoy the program that I am in.”
Staff members, such as Mr. Gregory Brubaker, shares a similar view, saying, “I think in order for students to get the most out of CTC, having it last two blocks is perfectly fine.” Overall, there is a very positive outlook when it comes to CTC.
The CTC program being open to all students across FCPS allows students to have other people in their class that aren’t just from Urbana. Kenst was very excited about this saying,“ It is great! I have gotten to meet new people not only from my class but the other classes at CTC.”
There are many programs CTC offers. They offer courses in construction, service, technology, and mechanical/technical. “I think all the programs they offer CTC are wonderful for students because it provides a very diverse range of Trades and skills that they can learn that they can then carry with them through the rest of their lives.” Brubaker commented.
Maryland CTE programs of study are statewide programs designed to prepare students for their desired workforce needs. CTE programs are structured around career clusters.
Overall CTC offers 26 Career Programs for FCPS Students in 10th-12th Grades, with many offering College Credits, Dual Enrollment, and Industry Certification/Licenses.
CTC offers a wide variety of amazing programs. Brubaker said, “The criminal justice program is my favorite program with CTC because it really does expose students to exactly what it’s like to be on a police force and to work in that line of work.”
These classes are full of great information. Charley Mcgee (Class of 2025), in the Physical Rehabilitation program, described what she does on a daily basis for her class. “What we did each day varied but a lot of times we would take notes for a little and then take breaks to actually try things on our own.”
While they are learning material and sitting taking notes, they also get to do hands-on activities which help them get even better experience. Kenst expanded on what she does for her program saying, “In my class AOHP we do lots of lectures and note taking. We also practice lots of skills like blood pressure. We go to clinicals at a nursing home 1-5 days a week, it varies. But there we do lots of hands-on skills to care for the residents there.”
Along with that, the students have a really fun time while learning and working everyday to get better. “We did a lot of hands-on stuff and it was fun to try doing the physical assessments on other students rather than just taking notes all the time,” Mcgee said about her physical rehab class.
While CTC offers amazing experience it also gets you certifications. At the end of the Physical Rehabilitation program, students test in order to receive their Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification. Additionally, students have an internship the following semester. “The internship has been great clinical experience getting to work with various therapists and seeing different ways to have successful results” Mcgee said.
Students really gain good experience from their programs. These programs usually are around the same pace as an honors class. Students get a really good amount of information out of it.
Though these students tend to have fun they do encounter some struggles, with Kenst saying, “One of the challenges I faced in the class was the material. It can be a lot at once and can be intense. But finding new ways to learn and study the material helps. And it is all worth it in the end because in health care you need to know what you are doing!”
Having a positive attitude and some good study habits will get you a long way through your class. These students put in a lot of work to do something they love and are interested in.
These students really enjoy and love their time within the program. Kenst cannot find anything she would change about the program, “There is nothing that I can think of! I wouldn’t change a thing! It is a privilege to be a part of the program!”
Overall CTC is very beneficial and provides a lot of opportunities for students while taking the class and after. “It gives students the ability to learn about various trades and practice those skills before deciding if that’s what they want to do.” Brubaker said.
All these great programs are designed with academic and technical skill standards to effectively prepare students for both college and careers. CTC is a great program to get into. Go checkout their website and look into it!
“I welcome all FCPS high school students to consider what could be one of the best educational decisions they can make for their high school experience. For over forty five years, the Frederick County Public Schools’ Career & Technology Center has been helping students jump start their future by providing intensive, career specific education in programs tailored for both college bound and industry oriented students” – Mr. Michael Concepcion Principal of CTC
