At Centennial High School, February's CTE Month culminated with a College and Career Fair that had the school's corridors brimming with curious students, as they navigated a myriad of booths offering insights into diverse career options ranging from tech to skilled trades; in a recent report by Columbus City Schools, sophomore Trinitee Ba found new career possibilities she hadn't initially considered and Sophomore Trinitee Ba reflected on her journey through Centennial's educational offerings, expressing to Columbus City Schools, "I really think that is something that I'm passionate about."
Forward-thinking courses like Business Foundations and Marketing Principles have been instrumental in readying students for the professional world. Jennifer Reese, school counselor at Centennial, highlighted the multifaceted career choices beyond the conventional doctor-lawyer pathway, telling Columbus City Schools, "There are a million other careers and we want them to know that." This career fair wasn't just about showcasing universities like Ohio State University or Central State University. It also featured trade companies like Worthington Steel and organizations including the Columbus Division of Police, offering students a full spectrum of future possibilities.
One of the inspiring local stories was that of Trinitee Ba, who once aspired for a career in medicine, now saw potential in technology, her newfound passion was supported by Centennial's curriculum that enabled students to apply their knowledge in practical settings and according to her, "It's just wonderful how simply planting one seed and watering it daily can bloom into so much," Ba praised the school's approach in a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools.
Nina Dent, who teaches business foundations and marketing principles at Centennial, remarked on the intertwining of classwork with career opportunities, "We've got a lot of students that we're wanting to put out into the real world," Dent noted the practicality of industries attending that which could offer part-time jobs now, potentially growing to full-time employment once graduation rolls around, students making a direct correlation between their courses and the careers awaiting them was especially evident among those enrolled in CTE courses as they maneuvered through the fair, their experiences detailed in a recent report by Columbus City Schools.
