A parade of opportunity lined the broad main hallway at the Killeen ISD Career Center Thursday during a Future Ready Career Expo for families and students planning their high school schedule with their future in mind.
Along with the numerous career-focused programs inside the Career Center, the showcase included fine arts, Junior ROTC, STEM, local colleges, Early College High School and advanced academics.
Parents, with middle school students and a few younger ones, meandered up and down the hallway picking up information and talking to instructors and students.
Click here to see our Future Ready Expo photos/
Representatives from the KISD culinary arts program, which is a partnership with Central Texas College and the firefighter/EMT program, which is a partnership with the Killeen Fire Department were among the offerings.
Participants also saw displays from robotics, education, photography and audio-visual programs.
Also, teachers and students greeted guests in business marketing, veterinary assistance, agriculture, welding, auto mechanics, cybersecurity and other CTE programs.
Madelyn Harvey, a senior in the education classes and in Texas Association of Future Educators, talked to guests about the advantages of learning to be a teacher.
“We have the opportunity to observe at all levels and as a senior we can intern in the classroom,” she said, explaining that students interested in teaching get actual in-classroom experience in KISD schools.
“I think it’s a good way if you’re not sure to get a jump-start,” she said, noting that the program allows high school students to graduate with a teacher aide certification and immediately enter the workforce.
Jekiyra Holloway, a senior in the business strand, is in a marketing practicum class and in DECA.
“We are about to do a pilot project to help businesses with marketing to get a real-life hands-on experience,” she said, noting that she plans to work as a real estate broker.
CTE Director Patrice Robinson said she was excited to see students learning the wealth of opportunities awaiting them in high school.
The expo was specifically promoted to eighth-graders in College and Career Exploration classes preparing to make their four-year high school plans.
Another Future Ready Career Expo is scheduled in January.
“This event showcases all the programs and amazing opportunities students have to participate in,” Robinson said.
“We want families to know about the opportunities that exist for them. We are leading the way in a lot of innovative, high-wage, high-demand fields.”
Future planning information:
https://www.killeenisd.org/page/academic-advising-and-planning