The “real world” in the career technical workforce can be harsh and competitive, but it doesn’t have to be. To get ahead, you can earn a career tech credential and pick up some valuable skills for the future.

Why get a career tech credential and why is it important?

A career tech credential can offer several benefits that will assist you in your career choice. Being certified in a field can get you prepared and develop real world skills for the workforce. Getting a credential in high school will boost you ahead of the competition and help you in the long run. You can explore the career before making a commitment in college and possibly earn a college credit, which is a money saver.  There is also an extensive variety of classes in career tech here at Bob Jones, such as culinary, fashion, multimedia design, and cyber security. There is also a high success rate for high school students who earn a credential. The U.S. Department of Education found that more than 90% graduate high school enrolled in a career tech class. Taking a career tech class will give you a glimpse of the career path you are interested in and help you decide which direction you want to go in.

Students acknowledge that taking advantage of career tech classes will benefit their career in the long run. On her stance, sophomore Kay Davis said that having her Adobe Certified Associate Photoshop certificate “…will provide solid proof that you know what you’re doing” to colleges and perhaps any future employers. She also said that students can “…learn trade skills…” and increase their “…chances of obtaining jobs” in the future. Enlisting a credential (or several credentials) will appear impressive on a resume and may have a great impression on a college admissions officer.

Mrs. Rountree, the instructor of the computer science academy, also believes that “some industries require certificates [in certain fields] and getting credentials in high school makes it easier to get jobs in the future.”

The decision to enroll in a career tech class for credentials will place a student ahead of the competition and will be beneficial. According to Mrs. Gaines, the head of the engineering academy, getting a career tech credential will be key for “…real world application…” It gives opportunities to students immediately out of high school to go into the workforce, a convenience some college grads struggle to have. She further explains that getting a credential in high school is a great option for high school graduates who don’t have the opportunity to go to college or for those who choose not to.

In conclusion, a credential in your aspiring career path will prepare you for the future and help you pick up some skills to help you along the way. It will also be an alternative for those who will not enroll in a two year or four year college. Overall, earning a certificate will open up doors with more options compared to those without any.

Photo credit: Chuck Rutledge via Twitter