The Career and Technology Center (CTC)  held at Fort Osage has 15 programs that BSHS juniors and seniors can attend. These programs range from marketing to culinary arts to engineering. Students enrolled in these courses not only take classes, but also explore their career areas with field trips, college visits and internships. Successful completion of some of these courses results in college credit, certification and potential employment for students.

     For instance, the Health Science program offers CPR certification, Certified Nursing Assistant, a clinical rotation at Area Medical Facilities and dual credit from UCM and MCC-Blue River. This program is designed for seniors that wish to explore careers in the medical field such as medical terminology, communication and documentation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), basic patient assessment, vital sign measurement, non-invasive care and geriatric care.

     Junior Spencer Brinkmeyer is a part of the Fire Science & EMT – Basic program. He has dreamed of becoming a firefighter since he was a little kid, and the opportunity to learn the trade as an extension of his school day has Spencer ecstatic about what this program may mean to his future.

     “CTC is different in the way that it is no longer school–it is training for your career. You are learning how to be someone instead of what someone does. By taking CTC I am not only carving my future but getting ahead of others that are not training and not learning about the field yet,” Brinkmeyer said.

     Brinkmeyer noted that his daily schedule differs from a traditional student’s.

     “My day consist of four classes in the morning, and then after A shift I leave and get on a bus to Fort Osage. There we do a lot of bookwork and a fair amount of skills out in the bay. We have a house that we use to do mock drills and crawl in. Multiple programs have either a bay or computer lab depending on what field it is and each class has maybe 20 students, so you get to know everyone fairly well,” Brinkmeyer said.

     Brinkmeyer knows that his schedule contains some hardships that classroom learners don’t face.

     “I would say the hardest part of my schedule is the book work. Some people find the physical work hard, but you can get better at that. The book work is the thing you need to stay on top of,” Brinkmeyer added.

     Junior Sebastian Manning is enrolled in the the Advanced Computer Engineering program.

     “The main reason I decided to join was because of my interest from a younger age in computers and my passion for coding, but I also heard a lot of great things about CTC,” Manning said.

     Manning finds that the program has an all around friendlier vibe since the students all share the same interest and it feels like whatever they are doing always matters.

     “One project I am graced to be a part of is creating the new network for the building. I am basically making the entire buildings H: drive and constructing a firewall that even the teachers will use,” Manning said.

     This program holds significant benefits, including earning a Microsoft Technology Associate Certification for operating systems, an opportunity to compete for the Cerner scholars, and earning college credit. Manning finds that the invaluable experience is the best part and his favorite thing about the CTC program is its ability to give students exposure to fields like Automotive Engineering and Law Enforcement.

     “I would recommend this program to everyone that has a field that it covers because it offers unparalleled experience,” Manning said.

     Brinkmeyer would also recommend the CTC program but warns students to consider carefully.

     “Strong word of advice is that you should check out the program you are interested in at one of the open houses before enrolling to make sure you chose the right class,” Brinkmeyer explains.

     Another program offered at CTC is the Nail Technician Program. This Program is also designed for seniors and allows for students to explore careers in the beauty industry. Participants work with gel polish, acrylic nail sets, nail art, basic & spa manicures and pedicures, client communications, business marketing, and customer service delivery. This program also allows for advanced opportunities as many students may become a Nail Technician State Licensure. In fact CTC has a nail salon that is actually open to the general public until May 13, 2019 where students can earn over 400 hours of professional service.

     With so many options and benefits it’s easy to see why students have such positive things to say about the program. Students with interest in the number of programs have until February 8th at 11:59 pm.