As seniors at FHC are soon heading off to college, juniors are now beginning to make decisions about what they plan to study post-secondary. Before the Kent Career Tech Center (KCTC) was an available option at FHC, some students had to pick a major with no prior experience and were uncertain if that was the right fit for them. However, thanks to KCTC, students are able to go to school for three classes a day and spend the remainder at a facility where they can get real, hands-on experience in their desired program.
Junior Isla Magers, an aspiring event planner, has had the opportunity to participate in KCTC’s hospitality program. KCTC’s hospitality and culinary arts program is perfect for any student with a passion for cooking or who has plans to pursue a career in the service industry. Halfway through a two-year program, Isla is certainly prepared for her future after high school. Within her program, Isla, in addition to her classmates, has the opportunity to receive certificates, such as a Food Safety Manager Certification, Certified Fundamental Pastry Cook, Allergen Certifications, and more.
“I want to do something that has to do with hospitality, and I think it’s kind of helped me just because all of it is hands-on experience,” Isla said. “You get to actually go out there and witness what you like and what you’re good at.”
Participating in a program that can complicate your schedule and be a little out of the ordinary compared to the majority of students at school can be difficult; however, Isla explains that it has been helpful for her to find out whether a career in the hospitality industry is something she would enjoy in the long term.
“I decided to do KCTC because I really needed a change of pace to try something new for my junior year and to see if I really wanted to do something in the hospitality industry,” Isla said.
With frequent conflicts due to hour delays and assemblies, making her schedule especially complicated, Isla has had to find ways to manage her time wisely.
“It’s been kind of difficult to get used to, but I just try to stay positive and talk to people who are also going through [school and sports] with me, too,” Isla said. “I just try to continue to get as much done as I can while I can, and if I can’t, I just let those people know.”
Debates over whether formal education with seven-hour days of sitting in classrooms is effective are ongoing. KCTC is especially beneficial, as it provides students with an abnormal mental break throughout the day.
“I would definitely recommend KCTC to others because I think it’s great,” Isla said. “It’s almost like a brain break because you actually get to do things rather than sit in classrooms.”
As FHC doesn’t offer specific hospitality classes, KCTC has provided Isla, as well as many other students, with more targeted, career-focused learning.
“Everyone there really enjoys their program,” Isla said, “and it’s just a real-life experience without all the pressure quite yet, so I think it’s really good practice.”
KCTC offers a plethora of different programs, including nursing, culinary arts, aviation, and many more. Aside from the less stressful aspect that KCTC programs entail, they can also provide students with the ability to get real work experience involving their career path.
“[KCTC] has provided me with opportunities to meet people from other schools,” Isla said. “I’ve even gotten some certificates that will help me in the future for handling food and things like that, and that has [a lot] to do with whatever I want to major in. I just think that the hands-on experience is really beneficial to whatever I want to do.”
Altogether, KCTC can provide students with countless opportunities and leverage when deciding their future during their junior or senior year. Burnout is a frequent factor that students experience as they are nearing the end of their high school career and moving on to other life plans. KCTC can help students stay focused, as it serves as a constant reminder that the concepts and tasks they learn during their program will be what their future entails daily.
“[KCTC] keeps me busy,” Isla said, “but also I think it’s good for me to have that much stuff going on at once just so I stay productive and keep working towards my goals.”