More Than 200 Students Participate in Summer Career Accelerator

This summer was an exciting and engaging career acceleration experience for over 200 JCPS students in grades 6-12. JCPS CTE hosted various camps across the district to allow students to develop future-ready skills, explore various career pathways, and engage with workforce partners.

Career Investigations Labs for grades 6-8 is the ultimate career exploration opportunity to engage students in authentic problem-based learning experiences across multiple career clusters. Students worked in groups to complete hands-on activities allowing them to explore careers. 

Startup High, an entrepreneurial training program in partnership with Campbell University, was for students in grades 7-9.  Students engaged with entrepreneurs, developed a pitch, launched a service business, explored rejection therapy, and developed a career portfolio. This four-day experience is hosted by the Benson and Clayton Chambers of Commerce and allows students to network with local business owners.

Leaders at Work Teamship is a partnership between JCPS CTE and District C. CTE teachers became Certified District C Coaching Fellows to facilitate a “teamship” experience where students in grades 10-12 worked together to solve real-world problems for a real local business. A final pitch event allows students to present their proposal to industry representatives & community members. 

CTE also partnered with the Digital Learning and Media department to facilitate STEM focused camps for middle and high school students. The middle school robotics camp incorporated LEGO Spike Prime robots and promoted critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, design engineering, and computer science skills. The high school Full STEAM Ahead! camp promoted computational thinking, cyber security, and design thinking through hands-on practice with coding, 3D printing, and cyber security scenarios.  

In addition, JCPS CTE funded scholarships for 18 students to attend JCC Summer Camps throughout the summer. We will also have students in grades 11-12 participating in summer internships through the JOCO Works NOW: Navigating Opportunities at Work program. Throughout all summer experiences, local industry partners will be invited to engage with students. JCPS CTE is excited to offer these opportunities to grow the future workforce of Johnston County.