High school is designed to prepare students for the next great stage in their life: college. Throughout your four years, you are expected to decide what career you want to pursue.

In some ways, students are set up for success as young adults as they are required to take classes that expand beyond academia and into the real world. These classes include personal finance, government and economics.

But when it comes to more practical career-focused classes students are limited. Every student takes the basics: math, science, English and history,with a few more specialized classes here and there based on individual interest.

However, not everyone will go into a career field that can be covered by general high school classes. Shelby County Schools offers an option for

these students. Careers and technology classes, formerly known as vo-tech, are available either at or through White Station and can cater

to a student’s specific interests or future plans.

“Careers and technology is the basic foundation of why you guys are getting your education,”careers and technology teacher Glynis Williams said. “

We offer courses in teen living, nursing, physical therapy, business, computer science, automobile science, aeronautical engineering. It is very broad.”

There are several benefits to taking a careers and technology class, but perhaps most the important advantage is having a class that helps you get ahead and gain experience.

“When you get to college, if someone has had science classes and these introductory nursing classes through careers and technology, they are ahead

of the student with just basic science classes,” Smith said.

These classes can also offer you a look into other career options. You may find that you enjoy or are skilled in a field that you never even considered.

On the other hand, a class in careers and technology may also give you the chance to learn more about a topic that you have always been interested in.

“When you graduate high school with a diploma, you need some type of skill set or some idea of what you want to pursue when you are in college, so that you aren’t unsure of what you want to do your freshman year,” Smith said. “In high school, you can actually start your career field.”

Students should talk to their counselors for a full list of available careers and technology courses. Anyone is eligible to take a vocational course, and freshman are highly encouraged to begin early.