Practicum CTE classes are double-blocked periods, during which students intern or work at businesses around the community. These students have the opportunity to learn about real-world careers while also gaining experience in a field they are interested in pursuing.

Senior Aspen Castaneda interns at the Fort Worth Nature Center as a part of the first and second period Practicum of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources course. She said she aims to work in the conservation field and hopefully become an ecologist

“I do a lot of different stuff there,” Aspen said. “I work on setting up events and caring for animals like bison and opossums.”

Senior Jayden Rahim leaves every day during his seventh and eighth periods to work a paid shift at Palio’s Pizza Cafe in Azle. He said he is considering pursuing a culinary career.

“I am certified in food safety and food defense management from culinary,” Jayden said. “It’s two fewer classes that I have homework for, and it lets me get more hours and experience.”

The Eagle Mountain Vet Clinic is among some of the other places where students have been interning. During her seventh and eighth periods, senior Jocelyn Olund uses her internship there to continue working on becoming a certified veterinary assistant, which requires 300 work hours.

“I’m an intern, so my main thing is shadowing the vet techs as they go into rooms for observing and checkups,” Jocelyn said. “If I’m not doing that, then I’m helping clean around the clinic like unwrapping syringes or helping fill prescriptions.”

Practicum classes are experiential and beneficial to all students who are involved in the program. Getting in touch with the working world while still in school can provide valuable truths and knowledge that can support future career pathways. Starting this liaison between work and school earlier in life can help life after high school feel smoother and finding a job easier.