Published February 8, 2022

As part of College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) month in Williamson County, rising ninth graders are getting the chance to prepare for the future. 

On February 1, they participated in the district’s annual Universal Day which gives students a chance to visit their future high school and learn about CCTE programs as they get ready to register for high school classes. 

“We want students to enter high school with a plan for success,” said CCTE Special Projects Coordinator Kris Schneider. “Many of the students who participated in Universal Day have said the experience was invaluable because they got to see classes in action, meet teachers, get a tour of the high school building, and meet student ambassadors.” 

That was certainly the case for Thompson’s Station Middle School student Avery Nixon who says she found Universal Day to be very helpful. 

“I think it’s good to plan ahead,” said Avery. “Sometimes you don’t realize a job is under a certain description, so I think it’s good to explore before you determine what you want to do in life. I really want to start my own business, so it was good for me to visit the marketing class and learn more about that.” 

With 48 programs of study across the district’s 11 high schools, CCTE courses are designed to teach students soft skills, hands-on application and workforce development. They allow students to learn about numerous fields which include everything from cybersecurity and mechatronics to architecture and culinary arts. 

Looking ahead, CCTE Director Dr. Jeremy Qualls says he hopes to find new ways to bridge the gap between middle and high schools by expanding the CCTE experience. 

“The first step is exposure,” said Qualls. “The feedback we have received from Universal Day has been great, and we are already planning for a bigger, better and more immersive experience next year. Our goal is to educate, inform and engage students entering the high school realm. These experiences are changing lives and outlooks, and we look forward to building this even bigger and better for the CCTE students of WCS.” 

For more information about the district’s CCTE programs, visit the WCS CCTE webpage.