BY KARISSA MILLER
The Statesville Civic Center was filled with more than 1,500 Iredell-Statesville Schools eighth-graders on Tuesday and Wednesday for the annual Eighth Grade on the Move event.
The event provides students with an opportunity to learn about Career Technical Education career pathways and allows them to explore their interests as they prepare to enter high school in the fall.
Representatives of Mitchell Community College, Doosan Bobcat, I-SS early colleges, fine arts, and JROTC programs were invited to provide information to students, explained Career Development Coordinator Juli Tipton.
The event provides students with a deeper dive into electives and career clusters. Hands-on activities, such as, Z Space, 3D Anatomy table, Virtual Reality headsets and bots let them explore STEM-based careers up close.
“There has never been a better time to be an I-SS student. We offer choice in high school, a state-of-the-art career academy, multiple early colleges and through CTE we offer industry credentials, work-based learning opportunities that charter and private schools can’t offer. There are more choices than there has ever been,” Tipton said.
High school students were on hand to share about their educational journey, and tell rising high schoolers what it looks like to attend the career academy.
Hunter Woodside, an auto diesel student, said he showed students how to take lug nuts off of a tire.
“It teaches you things about the auto tech industry, how it works, how the pay works and it sets you up for your future in the industry,” he said.
Woodside said that the diesel program has given him a strong foundation about how things work. He is currently applying for a job that will allow him to work on agricultural equipment.
Brynn Abernathy, a student from The Brawley School, said the field trip was helpful.
“It gives us ideas about different types of careers and what classes you will need to develop a plan,” he said.
Davis Fitzpatrick, another Brawley student, agreed.
“I’m interested in a career in engineering. I have tried out the VR, Z space station and paint simulator and am learning new things,” he said.
North Carolina law requires public school students to decide on a career track in eighth grade.
All students must complete a career development plan prior to being promoted to the ninth grade. This plan has to be updated in 10th grade for a student to be promoted to 11th grade.
Tipton also said that the district uses the career development platform MajorClarity to help ensure that plans are completed based on a student’s aptitudes, skills and interests.
She also hopes that their efforts will help build the employment pipeline in Iredell County so that students can have access to many of the careers in the area.
In conjunction with this event, the district also held a parent night to provide information about options available to students.
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