While high school is often viewed as a fun time in a student’s life, it is pivotal to the successes that may come later. As a vocational school, Communications High School (CHS) offers students many opportunities like CTE courses and the Junior Seminar class that provide an advantage for their college and career plans.
CHS’s CTE courses allow students to choose a series of electives they can take to fulfill their “track” by senior year, such as Design, TV or Radio Production, Programming, Photography, Journalism, and others.
Educators at CHS design their courses to provide students with the necessary skills to give them an advantage in pursuing a communications-based field. Adobe Foundations, Intro to Design and Advertising Design teacher Laura Fallon says she structures her classes to better prepare students interested in design careers.
“I think that it says it right there in the name: foundations. We build a strong skill set with all of the software and different soft skills you’ll need to go into the design curriculum or industry,” Fallon said. “I also specifically look to college design programs to inspire the projects that we’re doing to stay on pace and the level with what you’ll see in a college program.”
Similarly, film teacher David Salowe shares the sentiment that his courses give students the necessary experience to understand the foundational skills behind working on a film set. However, Salowe states that even for the students who stray from communications after high school, the skills that they learn at CHS are forever useful.
“You’re going to have to read, write and talk no matter what job you’re in,” Salowe said. “All of these CTE’s focus on at least one of those three things. So I think that they prepare you for anything.”
Along with providing students with career-specific courses, CHS curriculum includes a Junior Seminar course to help students navigate the daunting college application process. In Junior Seminar, students develop key college and career readiness skills including interviewing, writing college essays and creating resumes and cover letters.
In addition to the guidance provided the class, guidance counselors offer advice for college applications and its financial aspects. College-bound seniors also walk underclassmen through their personal experiences to offer further information and support. Providing such assistance can be highly beneficial for students.
Senior Avery Booth of Tinton Falls feels Junior Seminar provided valuable guidance within the college application process.“Junior Seminar helped me with college prep and career things like creating supplemental essays and doing mock interviews,” Booth said. “Paying attention in class and using my time wisely made my college application process faster and easier. I knew where I wanted to go and what to look for in colleges when applying.”
Understanding the pivotal role high school plays in a student’s development, CHS offers career-focused classes and Junior Seminar to guide students as they prepare for their future. These resources equip them with the skills, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the important decisions that will shape their lives—whether choosing a career path or preparing for college and beyond.
