February is National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to explore all the considerable professional opportunities available in our competitive job market, inviting undecided students to investigate. Think of it as a pipeline to gainful employment, artisan skillsets, and demanding industries that reward tenacity.
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the William N. Pennington Applied Technology Center inside the IGT Manufacturing Hub, the CTE Open House will have live demonstrations of programs involving qualified trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and other specialized fields of interest. Aspiring learners will have the chance to interact with the finest instructors and inquire about the potential found in encompassing future pursuits.
Find Yourself, and You Will Find Your Freedom
CTE doesn’t lead to a singular occupation. It will train you for a career through academics and firsthand experience. Uncover your intrinsic strengths, acting on your instincts to lead the charge toward a successful and fulfilling position.
Business partners seek those trained to begin in workplace environments capable and ready. You’re here for a reason, and while that may yet be unknown to you, CTE has numerous branching pathways for advancement. Northern Nevada is bursting with people attaining their livelihood in much shorter periods but with all the certifications required to be a specialist in their field. It’s remarkable how much one night can mean for you, maybe even shift the axis of your life’s journey in spectacular ways you never imagined, culminating in a personal revelation: you’re a dependable hire.
Hands-on instruction and sector-aligned curriculum fuse education to prepare you for a worthwhile career in industries like Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, or Computer Information Technology. That’s not even the tip of the iceberg. The CTE umbrella has an immense scope, with twice as many prospects. Culinary and Graphic Arts can also be avenues for you to choose, your progression through the ranks becoming assured as your versatility multiplies. TMCC encourages you to canvas anything intriguing to you, and when you find something you’re passionate about, learning won’t feel like a chore. It’ll excite and surprise you, which is its purpose anyway!
Kyle Cassinelli, Assistant Director of CTE Programs, shared how cross-department collaboration and organization of events positively impact student awareness, creating a promising connection with valuable outlooks for them as they step into their chosen areas of focus.
“By engaging with our campus community, students can make informed decisions about their educational and career pathways, setting themselves up for success and satisfaction. Additionally, as hands-on training is a critical component of CTE programs, the community needs to have the opportunity to see them in action. By attending the 2024 CTE Open House, we hope everyone will discover the thrill of learning by doing,” Cassinelli said.
The statistics speak for themselves. According to research by the Association for Career and Technical Education, CTE associate degrees can pay $10,000 more annually than traditional ones, and sometimes even more than a bachelor’s, speaking to the merit placed by employers on recruiting skilled personnel. 77% of enterprises indicate they appoint those specifically with the expertise gleaned from their CTE background. You don’t need to be an aerospace engineer to notice CTE is blasting off, so best get on board while you can.
Don’t forget to join us on Feb. 21 for the CTE Open House event! In the meantime, many Allied Health programs will have separate, distinct info nights.
Radiologic Technology is holding theirs on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 5–7 p.m. at the Pennington Health Science Center, room 122, not the Dandini Campus.
Dental Assisting will have an info night on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Dandini Campus, in Red Mountain Building 414. Other opportunities for this program include Wednesday, March 20 (online) and Wednesday, April 17 (in-person); RSVPs are encouraged.
The Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program will have info nights at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, and Wednesday, April 24, inside the Pennington Health Science Center, room 167.
Dental Hygiene will hold its info night on Wednesday, April 3, from 6-8 p.m. at the Dandini Campus, Red Mountain Building, room 256.
Certified Nursing Assistant will host info nights on Monday, March 25, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. and Monday, April 15, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. inside Meadowood Center North, room 152.
Promoting our lineup of program offerings is how TMCC enlightens you on wise decisions for your college education. Make the most of these demonstrations, where you’re the star, and the ideal match may be around the bend.
For more information, please visit the CTE Open House website.