By Brandon Nguyen
With Barons currently deciding what courses they are going to take next year, Career Technical Education (CTE) classes may be an option they should consider. CTE courses are specified towards a career and meant to equip students with technical skills. Currently, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) offers seven different career pathways with two courses each. This means in order to complete a career pathway, students would be in the same pathway for two years.
Culinary Pathway
Culinary Arts 1 and Advanced Culinary Arts make up the Culinary Pathway career pathway at FVHS.
Students learn about cooking basics in Culinary Arts 1. This includes safety and sanitation, measuring and recipe building skills and preparing full skills. They start knife skills and practice different cooking techniques. In Advanced Culinary Arts, students start honing their skills on restaurant industry standards such as working with commercial equipment, learning about stations of a professional kitchen and standardized recipes.
Both Culinary Pathway courses partner with California Restaurant Association Foundation and ProStart which gives students the opportunity to work with industry professionals and compete in the Statewide ProStart Cup.
This pathway is run by teacher Cori Raina who encourages all students to take the Culinary Arts Pathway.
“Everyone needs to know how to cook for themselves and understand about the food they eat and how it is provided. Students who enjoy cooking or baking can learn how they can turn their love of something into a good career in many different ways,” Raina said. “I think that the Culinary classes offer students opportunities in a very large industry in California that they may not be aware of and opportunities to hone skills for life as well.”
Digital Media Pathway
Digital Photo and Design 1 and Honor Graphic Arts make up the Digital Media Pathway.
Students get started in photography and design in Digital Photo and Design 1. They begin to create design projects and refine their photography skills. In advancing into Honor Graphic Arts, students get more in depth with softwares such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
This pathway is run by teacher Zoe Seals who encourages students who appreciate flexibility and expressing creativity to join.
“Anyone who enjoys learning new things and being creative [should take this course!]” Zeals said. “My students love being exposed to new ideas, expanding their artistic horizons with hands-on projects and exploring a variety of creative fields.”
Entrepreneurship Pathway
Virtual Enterprise (VE) 1 and VE II make up the Entrepreneurship Pathway.
In VE 1, students learn about technical business aspects such as marketing and simulate running a small business. In VE II, students go on to compete in the VE Enterprise International Competition which involves leadership events, learning about banking and how to assess business growth. In both classes, students hone their skills in Microsoft Office, PhotoShop, Canva, 3D printing, Cricut, programming receipt printers and poster printing.
This pathway is run by Entrepreneurship Pathway teacher Sarah McCance who encourages students to take VE as a solid career foundation.
“The Entrepreneurship pathway encompases all skills needed for any career. This pathway will make you a better student and future employee and give you the knowledge and experiences to add to your college apps or resume,” McCance said. “From finance to design to IT and Sales there are aspects of this class to peak anyone’s interest.”
Environmental Design
Environmental Design and Advanced Environmental Design make up the Environmental Design Pathway.
In Environmental Design, students learn about the elements and principles of design such as the basics of drafting floor plans, elevations to scale and working with clients. Students who advance into Advanced Environmental Design take all the skills learned in Environmental Design and apply them to more complex concepts such as commercial properties, working within budgets and creating invoices.
This pathway is run by Environmental Design teacher Alissa Hernandez who encourages students who enjoy collaboration and project based learning to take this pathway.
“I invite any student that enjoys being creative, working with their peers, and project based learning [to take this pathway],” Hernandez said.
Fashion Pathway
Fashion Design and Fiber Arts and Design are the courses that make up the Fashion Pathway.
In Fashion Design, students learn about the history of clothes, psychological effects of clothes, clothing construction and careers in fashion. Students who advance to Fiber Arts and Design focus learning more about textiles such as what happens when they’re dyed and burned. They also practice knitting, crocheting and needle point.
This pathway is run by teacher Silva DaCosta who encourages students who enjoy creativity and close attention to detail to take the class.
“Any student interested in any and all aspects of the fashion world should take the class,” DaCosta said. “It’s beneficial for students who already or want to use fashion to express themselves and be creative.”
Legal Practices Pathway
Criminal law and Business Law make up the Legal Practices Pathway.
Students in Criminal Law learn about the legal system of the United States, the criminal mind, felony and misdemeanor crimes, inchoate offenses and defenses to crime. They also study interrogation, law enforcement practices, the process of taking a case to trial and have two field trips during the year along with several guest speakers.
Students who advance onto Business Law learn about negligence, torts, strict liability, contract law, consumer protection, warranties, investments, marriage and divorce. The class focuses on common real life occurrences and there is one field trip during the year along with several guest speakers.
This pathway is run by teacher Lorena Emerson who encourages students interested in the legal system to take the Legal Practices Pathway or to email her.
“I think any student who is curious about or interested in the legal system should take the Legal Practices pathway,” Emerson said. “Even if a student doesn’t end up pursuing a major or career in law, they will still acquire content they can apply and use in their everyday lives.”
Software and Systems Development Pathway
Exploring Computer Science and Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A makes up the Software and Systems Development Pathway.
Exploring Computer Science serves as an introductory course where students learn about problem solving skills, computer hardware, web design, programming and robotics. Students who advance into AP Computer Science A learn to code in Java and have the chance to earn college credit.
This pathway is run by Software and Systems Development Pathway teacher Eduard Lavrov who encourages students who have perseverance and underrepresented groups to take this pathway.
“Students that are successful in this pathway like to solve problems and are interested in technology. It is useful to be persistent when faced with challenges but also asking for help when getting stuck,” Lavov said. “We especially encourage students from underrepresented groups such as females and [black, indigenous and people of color] to try this pathway.”
Deciding factors
Overall, CTE courses can contribute to or give a head start to students’ careers. CTE courses offer hands-on, project-based learning and are meant to provide skilled laborers in a competitive job market.
Students that complete a CTE career pathway honor cord as long as they complete each course with a C grade or higher.
Notably, students do not necessarily have to take the first CTE course to take a more advanced CTE course. For example, students do not necessarily have to take Exploring Computer Science to take AP Computer Science Principles. However, students following the entire CTE pathway will receive priority by counselors in the course selection.
FVHS college and career specialist Chloe Orel encourages students to take CTE pathways if they have an idea about which career field they want to pursue.
“I think one of the main advantages about taking a CTE pathway or even just one course is that it allows students to explore career interests early on.” Orel said. “Oftentimes students have to look for outside internships to get experience within a career field. To students who are deciding what course to take I would recommend that they take the course that most aligns with their interests, passions and future career goals.”
