Across industries, but especially in cybersecurity, the capabilities of AI stretch the imagination as to what it can do today and in the future. Should we run in fear of AI—or do we embrace it as a powerful new tool? How can we rein in AI to better serve our purposes? In this session, we will explore how AI works, how it can be effectively taught and responsibly used by high school students, and its applications in the field of cybersecurity.
Join us for an engaging webinar focused on the importance of employability skills, commonly known as “executive or soft skills,” and their impact on professional success. We’ll delve into the employability challenges that students face as they enter the workforce and explore valuable resources to help you seamlessly integrate soft skills into your curriculum.
Thanks to ChatGPT, educators need new methods of assessment that are NON-TEXT in nature. It is highly necessary to create assessment methods that require students to produce authentic, novel, and personalized responses, which can help educators stay ahead of the uncertainty and workload that AI writers create. In this presentation, you will see tons of examples of new ways to assess that are not text-based!
Sr. Product Marketing Manager • Career and Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Journeys series is aimed to shed light on current career trends as they align to student career clusters. In this series installation, we have interviewed Aimee Steele, Assistance General Counsel in the law, public safety, corrections and security career cluster. Aimee shares with us the career journey that lead her to her current role with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District. Aimee dives into what motivated her to pursue this career, milestones that lead to where she’s at today, how she stands out in her field and advice for others looking to pursue this career. This series also offers career outlook data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Name: Ian Leonard
Title: Sales Specialist
Career Cluster: Marketing
Company: National Geographic Learning | Cengage
Career Outlook: About 1.8 million openings are projected each year, on average.
Median Salary: $62,400 per year + commissions in some instances
Education Needed: High school diploma or equivalent
*All career outlook data is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A: I have this memory of meeting with the guidance counselor as a high school junior. Super nice person, but she point-blank asked me: “So, what field of study do you want to enter in college?” Not having a clue, I hastily mentioned dentistry. (If asked, my chemistry teachers would’ve more than disagreed with my choice.) In that moment, I assumed my career path had to be determined – and fast. In truth, my career path has taken different directions over the years – just like it has for many others.
Part of what’s led me to my current role is knowing where I can contribute most. Knowing how you can best contribute – to an organization, a community, or team – can lead to a more fulfilling career.
A: In high school I used to give tennis lessons and coach at local clinics – absolutely loved it. A fellow coach asked if I’d ever considered going into teaching. (Truthfully, I was just looking forward to graduating and starting college, so…no.) The teaching itch made a comeback during college which led to teaching and coaching positions in my first two career stops. Teaching wasn’t anywhere in the original career plan – until an outside perspective got me thinking. Looking back, I’m glad I listened to ‘em!
A: There’s a belief among some educators that their skill sets won’t translate into other fields – relatively set schedules, curricula, school policies, etc. specifically designed for education. This mindset can apply to other professions, too. In truth, there are plenty of connections to other fields. An example – I was asked during an interview if I had sales experience. I responded: “I’ve been selling education for years – to students who don’t always want it. In sales, adults just tell you ‘No, thanks!”’
Ultimately, the teaching background gave me confidence to better connect with educators while working in a business environment. Plus, having professional connections to the classroom is something we embrace here at Cengage in serving our schools. It was a good lesson in that there are plenty of transferable skills among the professions.
A: It’s normal to retrace your steps and wonder if you’ve taken a different route somewhere along the way. Starting college, I was determined to enter the business field – even start a business. Instead, a few courses in the education department took me ‘off course’ and changed my plans completely. In the end, going off-script turned out to be just as fulfilling and rewarding. Learning isn’t ‘one size fits all’ and neither is the career journey.
Sr. Product Marketing Manager • Career and Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Journeys series is aimed to shed light on current career trends as they align to student career clusters. In this series installation, we have interviewed Chris Orr, a High School Principal in the Education & Training career cluster. Chris shares with us the career journey that lead her to his current role with Capital Christian High School. Chris dives what motivated him to pursue this career, milestones that lead to where he’s at today, how she stands out in her field and advice for others looking to pursue this career. This series also offers career outlook data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Name: Chaelyn Tani
Title: Registered Nurse
Career Cluster: Health Sciences
Company: Queens Medical Center
Career Outlook: 6% increase (faster than average)
Median Salary: $81,220 per year
Education Needed: Bachelor’s degree
*All career outlook data is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A: I have wanted to pursue a nursing career since middle school after completing a cliche “what do you want to be when you grow up” assignment. During my first year in high school, my grandma pushed me to start volunteering at my local nursing home. I talked to the nurses about their careers there, which helped solidify my desire to pursue a nursing degree after high school.
A: My grandma got sick and passed away in 2006 from pancreatic cancer. I remember going with her to chemo appointments at Kaiser and decided I wanted to be an oncology nurse. I wanted to be someone who took care of others with as much love and compassion as those nurses showed my grandma and our family.
A: To stand out in nursing, obtaining a specialized certificate helps. I was able to obtain my oncology-certified nurse designation. Continuing education also helps to keep you the most up-to-date in healthcare, which is always evolving.
A: My advice to future nurses is to make sure that nursing is your passion and not just a job. It can be a very thankless and emotionally draining job, and if you are not pursuing this career because you truly have a passion for it, you will find yourself burnt out. Also, remember there are so many avenues to nursing; if one place doesn’t suit you, find another that will.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) has a nearly 150-year track record of dynamic change and evolution. Despite its longevity and history, CTE is still a pillar of innovation, designed to equip learners with a blend of academic knowledge, practical skills, and real-world experiences. It also remains a leading approach to education that prepares individuals for the complex challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century workforce. Today, CTE is on a transformative journey to reshape itself into a model that not only prepares students for current job markets but instills a lifelong passion for learning and exploration…
Sr. Product Marketing Manager • Career and Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Journeys series is aimed to shed light on current career trends as they align to student career clusters. In this series installation, we have interviewed Jhon Cataño, Journeyman Electrician in the architecture & construction career cluster. Jhon shares with us the career journey that lead him to his current role with Nappa Electrical Contractors. Jhon dives into what motivated him to pursue this career, milestones that lead to where he’s at today, how he stands out in her field and advice for others looking to pursue this career. This series also offers career outlook data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Name: Jhon Cataño
Title: Journeyman Electrician
Career Cluster: Architecture & Construction
Company: Nappa Electrical Contractors
Career Outlook: Projected 6% increase from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations
Median Salary: $60,240 per year
Education Needed: High school diploma or equivalent
*All career outlook data is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A: I grew up in Colombia on a farm and at an early age I was always working with my hands. I wanted to be a mechanical engineer because I had an uncle who worked for Nissan assembling cars and I always looked up to him because he had a good life.
When I was older I was working as a bartender but wanted a job with a more consistent schedule. I didn’t want to go to a four year university because it was too expensive and I wanted to start working in a new career quickly. I’ve always been curious about how things work and was interested to learn about how to troubleshoot complicated problems.
I enrolled in a tech school one year program, 4 days a week, 5.5 hours a day to graduate with a certificate in Practical Electricity. I did my schooling while continuing my bartending job. 4 months into my schooling I attended a job fair and was offered an apprentice position with a local electrical contracting company.
A: When I was 14 my father passed away and I was the oldest son and I knew I needed to provide for my family. I was very focused on what would give us a good life and how I could get there quickly.
When I got to the United States and my family was ok back home, I started to focus on how I could make a better life for myself. I realized that in this country motivation and determination takes you very far.
A: Reliability is very important in my profession. I am always on time, I take pride in my work and I ask for opportunities to grow in different areas within my field.
In an era where technology and automation are altering and revolutionizing the work landscape, our approach to education must evolve in tandem. It’s time to rethink, reimagine, and reinvent our teaching strategies to prepare students for a future already here.
Sr. Product Marketing Manager • Career and Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Journeys series is aimed to shed light on current career trends as they align to student career clusters. In this series installation, we have interviewed Aimee Steele, Assistance General Counsel in the law, public safety, corrections and security career cluster. Aimee shares with us the career journey that lead her to her current role with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District. Aimee dives into what motivated her to pursue this career, milestones that lead to where she’s at today, how she stands out in her field and advice for others looking to pursue this career. This series also offers career outlook data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Name: Aimee Steele
Title: Assistant General Counsel
Career Cluster: Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Company: Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
Career Outlook: Projected to have slightly more than 500,000 annual average openings from 2022 to 2032
Median Salary: $135,740 per year
Education Needed: Graduate-level occupations include those that typically require a master’s, doctoral, or professional degree
*All career outlook data is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A: My interest in the civil rights movement as a child. Thurgood Marshall was my hero. I was interested and impressed with the way he and the NAACP used the law and legal strategy to challenge segregation in schools. The law is powerful and can be used for good change.
A: I earned my Bachelor’s degree in 1999. I earned my juris doctorate in 2002. I passed the bar exam in 2002. I received various promotions throughout the last 21+ years, the most recent being my hiring with Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District as the Assistant General Counsel.
A: I do not believe I am the smartest, but I am always the best prepared. I work extremely hard because I truly care about what I do and the positive impact I can make on the employees in my agency.
My advice to individuals who are considering the legal field: ensure you have a high reading retention rate. Ensure you are adept at multi tasking. Find the area of law that interests you, understanding that there is so much you can do with your law degree and license to practice.
Sr. Product Marketing Manager • Career and Technical Education • National Geographic Learning | Cengage
The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Career Journeys series is aimed to shed light on current career trends as they align to student career clusters. In this series installation, we have interviewed Chris Orr, a High School Principal in the Education & Training career cluster. Chris shares with us the career journey that lead her to his current role with Capital Christian High School. Chris dives what motivated him to pursue this career, milestones that lead to where he’s at today, how she stands out in her field and advice for others looking to pursue this career. This series also offers career outlook data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Name: Chris Orr
Title: High School Principal
Career Cluster: Education & Training
Company: Capital Christian High School
Career Outlook: 1% increase (little to no change)
Median Salary: $101,320 per year
Education Needed: Teaching experience and a master’s degree in education administration or leadership
*All career outlook data is collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A: I was fortunate enough to have family, educators, coaches, and a community who guided and inspired me to follow the path of academic excellence, moral values, civic responsibility, and discipline. I also recognized that every child in my community did not get the support and guidance that I did. I felt an urgent call to be to young people what many were for me.
A: Following graduation from college, I did not have a clear path of what I wanted to do. Initially, I took a corporate job that provided a decent salary, got married, bought a house, and started a family. But something was missing. Even though my dad told me when I graduated college to look at education as a career, I didn’t take his advice right away – but he always knew.
Outside of my professional and family life, I volunteered to coach, tutor, and mentor kids – that was my passion. As I began to surround myself with other educators, they began to influence and encourage me to pursue education as a career. I thought and prayed mightily in considering this move. At the time, I had a mortgage and a family depending on me. Any career decision had to be sound. I received some key advice and support during this time. One was from Mrs. Irene B. West – who was a legendary educator in our community who shared her pure joy in serving students and families daily. Another was from my Pastor who helped me see this was what I was being “called” to do – which was much bigger than just a job. And the final was from my wife. She believed in me and gave me the confidence that we would be able to make this move together.
I resigned from my corporate job and started substitute teaching. Within a couple of months, I was offered a full time teaching position. Since then I have progressed into education programming, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and now a principal role. The decision I made over 20 years ago has been validated ten-fold. It was absolutely the best decision I’ve ever made.
A: My approach in education has never been about comparing myself to other educators. It has always purely been about serving students and families. I firmly believe that when your drive is to serve in a great way, opportunities and success will take care of itself.
My only wish is I would’ve known my path right out of college and got started sooner. However, I do value my experiences because it makes me appreciate the outcome even more. I use my experience as a guide for students. I advise students heading into college to study something they love, because it will lead to a career that they love. It’s normal to look at careers that have big salaries, but your lifelong work is more than that. There is nothing better than making a living doing something you love to do.