It is 7:25 a.m. and students head to their first period classes. While some students at GlenOak are opening their chromebooks and getting ready for the days lesson others are picking up cameras, hammers, blow dryers, or athletic tape applying what they learned in a hands on manor.

     For some students, they already have the required credits needed to graduate, which frees up time for them to get involved in career techs. It is important to remember that these classes have their own graduation requirements. These classes include Cosmetology, Mechanics, Light and Sound, Video Production, Photography, Construction, Sports Medicine, and Business. Each class meets daily.

      Academy principal, Jerad Buck, oversees the career tech program. He discussed the general requirements. 

      “There is a two year commitment, you have to have good attendance, behavior, and grades,” Buck said. “Anyone can take these classes if you have the passion, it will motivate you.”

      There are some  characteristics teachers look for in their students who want to take on one of these classes. These include dedication, willingness to put in hard work, and passion for what they do.

     “You are job ready or college ready. If you take cosmetology for example, you are taking the class for a lot less than it would be in college, so you are saving a substantial amount of money. Schools and jobs see this experience on your resume or application,” Buck said.

      Senior Hunter Whitt took two career tech classes, Light and Sound  and Construction. 

      “You had to be a year ahead in science and math to get all your credits for senior year or else your schedule is full sophomore and senior year,” Whitt said.

     Although these classes may seem like fun and a cool experience, it is important to remember that they also require a lot of work. Whitt explains that originally career techs were looked down upon because many kids enrolled that did not complete their work or take the class seriously. Because of this, these classes have gained a bad reputation. 

      According to Whitt, there are more benefits than disadvantages. These include very little book work, which is helpful to some students when trying to retain information. These classes are a two year commitment, and take up a lot room on a schedule.

     Senior Tyler Hoffman also participated in two career tech classes, Light and Sound and Video Production. 

     At first Hoffman had issues scheduling for these classes , but he was soon able to resolve them when he met with his counselors. Hoffman fortunately did not have to cut any classes, and says he is grateful to have the chance to take these classes. 

     “If you want to be a video production engineer, it’s a good thing they’re going into it and colleges see that you are serious about it,” Hoffman said.

     Hoffman also says that he wants to go into computer science after high school, and being in both career techs will help make this possible.

     It is clear that career tech classes set students up for their future careers and prepare them for the world outside of high school. Although it is a lot of work, these classes will no doubt set you apart from other students and allow colleges to see how serious they are about their professions.