On Thursday, October 1, Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) students from elementary through high school spent the day looking toward the future as the division participated in a variety of events in a Day of Career Exploration.
Throughout the day, students at all three levels participated in age-appropriate experiences designed to introduce them to career possibilities, connect classroom learning to the workplace and help them begin thinking about the many pathways available after graduation.
The divisionwide initiative takes career exploration from first introductions at the elementary level to hands-on industry experiences for middle school students and a deeper look at healthcare professions for high school students.
Elementary Students Get Hands-On Introduction to Careers
At the elementary level, first-grade students learned directly from students enrolled in programs at the Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC). CTEC students traveled to elementary schools to introduce younger students to careers and lead hands-on activities related to their programs.
Students explored fields including carpentry, culinary arts, healthcare technician, medical assistant, emergency medical technician and firefighting.
The activities were designed to make career exploration interactive and accessible for young learners. At A.G. Richardson Elementary School, for example, CTEC Carpentry students introduced first graders to tools and construction safety before challenging them to work together to plan and build structures using Magna-Tiles.
Other experiences included learning proper handwashing techniques with CTEC healthcare students, practicing kitchen safety and pretend knife skills with Culinary Arts students, learning the basics of hands-only CPR with EMT students, and practicing fire safety with CTEC Firefighting students.
Each experience concluded by helping students make the connection between the activity they completed and the skills professionals use in those careers every day.
Middle School Students Take Career Exploration into the Workplace
Middle school students took career exploration beyond the classroom through CCPS Manufacturing & Construction Day, visiting local employers to see firsthand what careers in these high-demand industries look like.
With the support of Culpeper Economic Development, who sponsored the event, students had the opportunity to visit Cabinetworks, Rochester Cable and Chemung Contracting. They had the opportunity to learn about local manufacturing and construction operations, career pathways, certifications and workforce needs.
The redesigned experience intentionally focuses on middle school students, giving them an opportunity to learn about career possibilities before entering high school and beginning to make more individualized academic and career-planning decisions.
The experience also introduces students to CCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) and CTEC programs that can prepare them for these fields. By connecting local careers with specific coursework and training available within CCPS, students can begin to see a pathway from middle school to high school, CTEC and ultimately the workforce.
Culpeper Economic Development is sponsoring the Manufacturing & Construction Day and providing participating students with materials and resources to help them learn more about careers in the two industries.
Middle School and High School Students Explore Careers in Healthcare
In the afternoon, high school students, along with middle school students turned their attention to one of the region's most diverse career sectors during a virtual Healthcare Day in partnership with UVA Culpeper Medical Center and UVA Community Health.
Students heard directly from healthcare professionals representing a wide range of occupations and educational pathways, including medical assisting, nursing, radiology, rehabilitation, laboratory services, pharmacy, perioperative services and medicine.
The program featured professionals including registered nurses, medical assistants, rehabilitation specialists, an MRI/X-ray technologist, laboratory and pharmacy professionals, surgical services leadership and a physician. The session concluded with an opportunity for students to ask questions about careers, education and working in healthcare.
Building Career Awareness from Elementary School to Graduation
While the experiences look different at each grade level, they share a common goal: helping CCPS students understand that career exploration begins long before graduation.
A first grader meeting a CTEC student, a middle school student stepping inside a local manufacturing facility and a high school student hearing directly from a healthcare professional are all part of the same continuum,giving students opportunities to discover their interests, understand the skills and education different careers require and see how what they are learning today can connect to their futures.
The Day of Career Exploration also highlights the importance of partnerships among CCPS, local employers and community organizations in preparing students for life after high school.
CCPS extends its appreciation to CTEC students and staff, Culpeper Economic Development, Cabinetworks, Rochester Cable, Chemung Contracting, UVA Culpeper Medical Center, UVA Community Health and the many professionals and staff members helping make the Day of Career Exploration possible.