3 CTE Clubs to Help You Stand Out to Future Employers
It’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, which means it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your passions and aspirations. For example, are you interested in agriculture, health science, or teaching? If so, we have three clubs that can help you explore these career opportunities and give you real-world experiences to shape your future success.
Club 1: Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Students in grades 9-12 must be enrolled in agriculture classes with FLVS in order to join.
FFA is the largest national youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. The goal of the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) chapter is to help students develop their leadership skills and help them explore what career they may want in their future.
Right now, there are about 30 students in the club, and they meet monthly to discuss projects, virtual fundraisers, and upcoming competitions. Some of these competitions include horse evaluations and veterinary science. In fact, the club’s president just won a competition for the district, and she may go to state!
They also work on SAE Projects – also known as supervised agriculture experiences – that allow students to participate in hands-on opportunities like an aquarium project, showing cows, growing crops, having to maintain a record book, and more.
When asked what she would say to students who are interested in joining FFA but aren’t sure if it’s right for them, Ashlyn M., a 12th grade FLVS Flex Student in the club, said:
“FFA is more than just livestock. It has so many opportunities including learning public speaking, conducting meetings, managing finances, learning to problem-solve, working with a team, and more. If you enjoy citrus, technology, or science, FFA has that. So, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have livestock. That’s just a small portion of what FFA has to offer and no matter what career path you may choose in the future, there’s something you can use that you learned in FFA.”
For more information about FFA, please contact the club advisor, Ms. Erin Lawall, FLVS Agriculture Communications Teacher at elawall@flvs.net. Additionally, check out this page to learn more about our Agriculture Communications program of study, which includes 3 courses – Agriscience Foundations 1, Agricultural Communications 3, and Agricultural Communications 3.
Currently, the club is raising funds virtually for future competitions – including travel, club fees, and more. Click here if you’re interested in donating.
Club 2: HOSA – Future Health Professionals
For FLVS Flex and Full Time students in grades 9-12.
HOSA – Future Health Professionals is a global student-led organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and is designed for student leaders pursuing careers in health care. The mission of HOSA is to empower future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community through advocacy, education, collaboration, and experience.
The more than 50 active students in the club meet monthly to learn more about the importance of personal and public health. Recently, in response to Hurricane Ian, students in the club did a project called Cards for Care. During this project, HOSA students created and delivered 500 cards to community-based organizations impacted by the hurricane in Fort Myers to spread inspirational messages of hope.
The club also hears from speakers that work in health care, each focusing on the importance of delivering quality care with competence and compassion. Recent speakers include Rick Lewis with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Celia Williams, Ph.D, MBA in the healthcare industry.
When asked what she likes most about the club, Cecilia Mo’Neesha K., the Inaugural President of HOSA at FLVS, said:
“I embrace our unification as future health professionals. I am honored to be the elected inaugural president, setting a strong foundation for the club alongside the other chosen HOSA officers. I enjoy the diversity, for this club is informative, fun, and helps each member gain recognition for their input.”
For more information about HOSA – Future Health Professionals, please contact the club advisor, Dr. Tamara Gibson-Alonso, FLVS Curriculum Specialist at tgibsonalonso@flvs.net. Also, check out this page to learn more about our Allied Health Assisting program of study, which currently includes 2 courses – Anatomy & Physiology and Health Science Foundations. Soon, there will be a third course coming to round out the program of study.
Club 3: Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA)
For FLVS Flex and Full Time students in grades 9-12
Have you ever dreamed of being a teacher? The FLVS chapter of FFEA encourages students to explore traditional and unique career opportunities in education. More than 50 students currently participate in the club and do monthly activities.
These activities range from community service and gift collections during the holidays to programs that give students the opportunity to learn what it takes to build a lesson plan and work with students. One such project is the Pajamas Reading Night, which is happening this month! FLVS students in FFEA will host a 1st grade FLVS class for the PJ night reading session, planning what book they are going to read and picking an activity that works well virtually.
In the future, the club also plans to attend the FFEA conference where they will participate in different competitions such as building a lesson plan, presenting on specific instructional topics, and taking part in roundtable discussions.
When asked why she joined the FFEA club, Emily P., a 12th grade FLVS Flex Student, said:
“I am really interested in the topic of education. Even though I don’t wish to become a teacher, I wish to work to help reform and improve the current state of education.”
For more information about FFEA, please contact the club advisors, Ms. Elizabeth Aguila and Ms. Shakara Callum, Language Arts Teachers at eaguila@flvs.net and scallum@flvs.net respectively. And, click here to learn more about our Principles of Teaching program of study, which currently includes 2 courses – Introduction to the Teaching Professional and Human Growth & Development.
Hailey Fitch is a Communications Manager for FLVS and FlexPoint, dedicated to telling the stories of our students, families, and the schools and districts we work with to showcase the positive impact of online learning. When she isn't busy writing, you can find her obsessing over superheroes and planning her next travel adventure.
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