Category Archives: Career/technical education (CTE)

Superintendent House visits future healthcare heroes at DeBakey HS

Tucked away on a side street in the shadow of the largest medical center in the world, DeBakey High School for Health Professions is the district’s medical magnet school, where students can learn more about the various career paths involved in the healthcare field, from the typical bedside options to the legislative branch.

Students like Cindy Choi, Paul Daniel, Caitlyn Davies, and David Dzul, all seniors, who gave Superintendent Millard House a tour of the school, which opened its $65 million, state-of-the-art, 194,000-square-foot building on the western edge of the Texas Medical Center in 2017.

 House was visiting the school on its second day of the 2021-2022 school year. As the ongoing global pandemic continues to make headlines, students at DeBakey are preparing to be the next generation of healthcare professionals.

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Lamar HS internships produce ongoing dividends

As the school year wrapped up in June, rising Lamar High School senior Ariana Valdez pondered her future.

The 17-year-old had been tapped in the spring for a financial internship sponsored by the Smart Financial Credit Union branch on the Lamar campus. As she embraced the program, her perspective shifted.

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When I Grow Up career expo goes virtual on Saturday

All HISD students in grades K-12 and their parents are invited this weekend to attend When I Grow Up 2021, a virtual informative day of career exploration.

WIGU 2021 is a virtual experience taking place on Saturday April 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

Beginnig at 10 a.m., the WIGU landing page will be separated by school grade level and will consist of carefully curated career exploration content to provide K-12 students with information, coding activities, career exploration, videos, job search information, and a video competition that ALL campuses and CTE pathways may compete in.

See this flyer for more information.

February is Career & Technical Education Month

February is Career & Technical Education Month, and graduating seniors have the opportunity through HISD’s Career Readiness department to explore career opportunities.

Students can network with industry partners in the Gulf Coast Region, expand their knowledge of careers in the military and aviation industry, and engage with business leaders to hear about out-of-the-box careers that will help them earn more.

Career Readiness is offering three mini sessions in February to expand, engage, and explore career opportunities. These sessions take place in the evenings from 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 4, Feb. 11, and Feb. 18. See this flyer for more information and to register.

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CTE students commit to HCC construction program during drive-in ceremony

Partnership with Marek Construction offers dual credits, industry credentials

Houston Independent School District Career and Technical Education students signed commitments on Tuesday to complete a two-year Marek Construction Academy program at Houston Community College.

The commitment ceremony took place during a physically distanced drive-in event in the HCC Southeast Campus parking lot. Students received commendations from executive leadership and then made their way to the stage individually to sign their commitment forms.

“We are proud of all of you. Hone your skills, learn your trade and strive to be the best,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “As you grow in this career, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you made a great choice to invest in yourself and an excellent program.”

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School Choice application deadline for Phase 2 is Feb. 26  

Parents who would still like to apply for a school choice program for the 2021-2022 school year have until Friday, Feb. 26 to do so. 

After all applications in Phase 1 have been offered, eligible Phase 2 students who meet a program’s qualifications will be considered in the order in which their application was submitted, should the program have space available. 

Any applications for students who live outside the HISD boundaries will not be considered until Phase 3, even if the application was submitted during Phase 2. 

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HISD to celebrate Computer Science Education Week

Program a drone. Track movements of an Amazon delivery robot. Animate greeting cards. These are just a few of the ways students can participate in Computer Science Education Week on Dec. 7-13.

Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners in the field.

HISD’s Office of Career Readiness, along with DroneBlocks, Code Avengers, and Amazon Future Engineer-endorsed BootUp and CoderZ, have created computational thinking activities to inspire future computer science engineers.

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Marvy Finger Family Foundation scholarship deadline extended due to winter storm

Apply by March 22 for a full career and technical education scholarship 

Students considering a career in construction, transportation, nursing, or industrial technology may qualify for a full scholarship in one of these fields or many more. Local and national industry data show a need for highly skilled employees in high-growth jobs with great earning potential. 

Since 2012, the Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship has been awarding worthy HISD graduates full scholarships covering their two-year degree or certification program in these high-demand careers. This scholarship includes not just tuition but books, fees, etc. 

This year, 100 full scholarships are available from Finger for a career and technical degree or certificate program in the fields of automotive, construction, digital information and technology, industrial technology, health science, law, logistics, manufacturing, and transportation distribution. Included in these fields are HVAC, pipefitting, cybersecurity, welding, maritime transportation, and more (see application for a complete list). 

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Office of School Choice to host virtual lunch and learn series for students

HISD students are invited to attend a series of virtual lunch and learn programs presented by the HISD Office of School Choice in partnership with The Ion of Houston and Pumps and Pipes.

The first event, Careers in Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship, will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, and will feature speakers from Xecta Digital Labs, Plug & Play Tech Center, and The Ion.

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Jones Futures Academy, Next Level Urgent Care to host virtual student wellness fair

HISD middle and high school students are invited to attend a virtual Wellness Fair presented Next Level Urgent Care, Jones Futures Academy and Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas.

The wellness fair will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. During the fair, students will have access to workforce readiness opportunities, as well as an opportunity to meet and interact with health care professionals without having to leave their campus.

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