The Career and Technology Center (CTC) is a school in Frederick, Maryland that helps students explore career options and what they may want to pursue post-secondary, even granting initial licensing in some fields.

There are a variety of programs from which students can choose. Some students choose to participate in the Construction Technology program, including the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); plumbing, carpentry or electricity trades. Others choose a Technology program that includes TV Multimedia, Digital Design and Cybersecurity.

However, some of the most popular classes come from the Service programs and Mechanical/Technical programs. These include Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice and Collision Repair.

Fortunately, students in Frederick City Public Schools (FCPS) are able to register for these programs beginning sophomore year. Students are given an opportunity to shadow, which is a required step in the registration process. Freshmen and sophomores sign up for CTC shadowing through a link. 

Shadowing allows students to get a feel of their desired program and learn what their day would look like and what classes they could take at CTC. 

TV Multimedia student Laila Boccabello helps her class with shadows. She gives tours of the room and explains a little bit about what the class is like.

“Shadows edit a video clip that they take with one of our cameras,” said Boccabello. “Then, they get help from one of our class members to rearrange and add audio to the clip. The whole idea is that they get a feel of the class and what they will be doing.” 

Often, 9th graders seem to be the most interested group of students to shadow a CTC program. 

FCPS career coaches like CTC’s Brenna Edmonds help students find their careers and interests through their classes and personality. Edmonds explained that not all CTC students ultimately pursue their CTC program after high school.

“I have a couple students that I am working with, and they still find that their program is helpful, but maybe they don’t want to pursue it after high school,” said Edmonds. “Maybe we put them in work study through CTC or help them get internships in something that they really want to do.” 

Shadowing through CTC is just the start of the journey the Career and Technology Center offers to any student in the FCPS school district.