WCC packs February with Career and Technical Education Activities

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) will kick off the month of February with events designed to connect students to career and technical education opportunities.

What is CTE Month?

Career and Technical Education Month, or CTE Month, is a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to inform students and the community about what CTE is and how it directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. CTE impacts a wide variety of fields including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, management and more.

WCC offers more than 30 Associate degrees and 40 certificates in CTE career fields. These fuel a pipeline from a post-secondary education directly into a high-paying job. Many of WCC’s academic programs align with the State of Michigan’s recent “Hot 50 Jobs Outlook.” This includes those requiring applied health sciences, business, computer science and STEM-related certificates and degrees.

Events for Career and Technical Education Month

Many CTE Month® events are open to the public and some are designed for current WCC students. This includes an employer discussion panel, CTE-themed movies and a virtual presentation on non-traditional careers for women.

The virtual event highlighting non-traditional careers for women will be from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 8. This pre-recorded SME presentation will feature four women sharing how they broke through the glass ceiling in traditional male-dominated fields. No advance registration is needed for this Zoom event.

An employer discussion panel will run from 3-4:30 p.m. February 23 in Garrett’s, on the ground floor of the Student Center. Participants can enjoy an early dinner and conversation with area employers on how to be a strong candidate when starting a career or pivoting mid-career.

Where to learn more about WCC events?

Information tables will be held throughout the week at these locations and times:

• TI Building lobby – 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. today
• OE Building atrium – 4-6 p.m. today
• LA Building atrium – 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2
• BE Building atrium – 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, February 6

WCC will also host two CTE-themed movies during February, including a screening of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” at 3 p.m. February 15 and “The Founder” at 4 p.m. February 21. Both movies will be shown in Garrett’s in the Student Center.

Additionally, a representative from Wayne State University (WSU) will host discussions about the articulation agreement that paves the way for WCC students to transfer into WSU’s bachelor’s degree program for welding and metallurgical engineering. These presentations will be at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. February 21 in room 127 of the OE Building.

Several events are by invitation or are geared specifically to WCC students.

The annual invitation-only Auto Service Competition/Skills USA Regional competition will be Friday, February 3, and provides the opportunity for high school students to learn more about WCC’s automotive and mobility programs.

WCC students are invited to connect with employers at an internship fair from 4-6 p.m. February 16 in the Morris Lawrence Building.

Current students are invited to participate in CTE Bingo throughout the month. Above all, they are designed to encourage participants to take advantage of the many learning opportunities on campus. Bingo cards can be completed in-person or virtually for a grand prize of a $300 credit at the campus bookstore.

WCC students can register for CTE Month® events through the Handshake platform.

Anyone interested in more information about the CTE Month® events, including how to register, can visit the CTE Month @ WCC webpage.