GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

Most students graduate thinking they can either enter the workforce, or take on debt to attend a two- or four-year degree program. What many students and parents don’t realize is that it may actually pay to explore your options in CTE. For Anna, her pre-apprenticeship program has done just that.

Anna Serrano graduated from Starmount High School in 2021 as a Certified Nurses Assistant. As a CTE concentrator in the health sciences field, she had the opportunity to complete a paid pre-apprenticeship nursing program with Northern Regional Hospital while in high school. Upon graduation, Anna was offered a full internship and paid-for education at Surry Community College, where will graduate as a Registered Nurse (RN). Plus, when she completes her associates degree, Northern Regional has guaranteed employment for her as an RN...

GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

When you think of project managers, you probably think of mid-career professionals with 4-year degrees, right? Well, Chris Parker is a recent high school graduate and a technical project manager for Vega Construction, and his path was made possible by CTE.

Chris knew he wanted to enter a field that had strong demand and steady growth – a career he could count on for the long run. In high school, he started researching what fields he could pursue and how he could set himself apart. He soon discovered that construction fit the bill.

"It really started with project lead the way, and that eventually led to the apprenticeship program I’m in with Vega Construction and Surry Community College," he says. "I started my CTE path with a drafting class – it wasn’t the right fit for me, but when I discovered project management I knew that’s what I wanted to do."

GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

Eli Sommer is a class of 2021 graduate, and is currently studying Entrepreneurship, Finance and Sales at High Point University. He’s a business owner, presidential scholarship recipient, and working on his real estate license – all at the age of 19. His Secret? CTE.

We caught up with the Cox Mill graduate to talk about his experience post-graduation, and how CTE has shaped the ambitious young leader’s pursuits after high school. What he had to say may surprise you.

GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

Elizabeth is a student at North Carolina State University, where she’s majoring in Agricultural Education and helping students across the state discover opportunities in Ag. CTE helped shape her education, and it gave her the spark to pursue a career she’s passionate about.

"People forget high school is hard,” says Elizabeth. The North Lenoir High School graduate recalls her introduction to CTE classes, beginning with health sciences. After exploring a few different courses, she started to feel at home in Ag. “After I discovered my interest in agriculture, my CTE courses were my motivation to go to school – it made school more interesting and enjoyable for me."

GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

Neil is a senior at East Carolina University and is set to graduate in 2022 with a B.S. in Business, and concentrations in entrepreneurship and small business management. The Sanford native and soon-to-be college grad has taken his entrepreneurial spirit beyond the classroom with his small apparel business, TOPdog.

"My interest in entrepreneurship and business really started in high school," Neil says, adding that he was introduced to CTE business courses through an interest day event early in his high school career at Southern Lee. "I always knew that I wanted to pursue something on my own, and CTE helped me figure that out."

GREAT JOBS AND HIGHER EARNING
POTENTIAL START WITH CTE.

Ray Lisenby has a future in agriculture. The Topsail High School graduate and freshman at North Carolina State University says it all started with great teachers and the support of student-led organizations.

"Before FFA, I lacked direction – I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated," says Lisenby, a first year student at NC State studying Agricultural Business Management. "I started getting involved with Ag my sophomore year of high school, and it was really Mr. Hicks who changed everything for me."