As students near the end of their high school career, they have a choice: whether to attend a traditional four-year college or pursue an alternative path. Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways offer an enticing alternative to the four-year college route and open the door to a variety of career opportunities.
CTE tracks often lead directly to jobs, apprenticeships, or certifications from trade schools across fields such as electricians, welders, and plumbers.
In a survey of 253 juniors, respondents were asked what would encourage them to pursue a CTE pathway. The majority of responses indicated job security was a key motivator, with 141 students choosing “guaranteed job” as a reason to pursue a CTE path.
Following guaranteed employment, 52 respondents chose hands-on learning as a key motivator. For senior Darwin Arevalo, hands-on learning played a central role in shaping his career goals.
Though Arevalo originally aspired to be a computer-based mechanical engineer, he felt it lacked the hands-on aspect. Instead of going to a four-year college, Arevalo is planning on attending De Anza College’s automotive technician program.
“I’ve always been a lot more hands-on when it comes to learning. I was much more like, ‘Oh, if I can do it with my hands, like I learn it really well.’ And I just thought that’d be much better than being an engineer,” he said.
As for discouraging factors, the majority of students cited limited opportunities for career advancement (78) and misconceptions about the quality of education and pay (74) as the least attractive aspects.
Financial cost is also a significant factor driving students to consider CTE paths. With college tuition costs significantly higher than the tuition of CTE programs, student debt is a growing concern.
As a result, CTE programs are emerging as a more financially practical option.
Arevalo hopes to avoid the financial burden of student debt and the uncertainty of finding a job after college. “My family and I are fortunate enough to be chilling, but definitely not fortunate enough to just put me through college just all bank. I would have to get a lot of financial support. And even then I’d be scared of being left with that debt after. And then not being able to find a job,” he said.
In addition to economic factors, recent federal policy has also elevated the profile of CTE. Notably, President Trump passed an executive order on April 23, 2025, titled ‘Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.’ The executive order aims to address the growing demand for skilled workers by supporting programs and expanding Registered Apprenticeships. Starting in July 2026, $145 million will be available to fund these apprenticeships.
“As America reshores manufacturing and makes Made in America a mark of international envy, America will need more skilled tradesmen than we’re prepared to train,” The White House said.
At the local level, M-A is preparing students for CTE pathways by bringing guest speakers to the Woods classes weekly. The guests range from HVAC employees to woodworking specialists, and they give presentations on their careers to educate the students.
Arevalo, who takes the class, appreciates the opportunity to learn about the different fields. He recalled a visit by Marin Construction, which he found very enlightening. “I’ve seen them and I’ve seen their work and it’s really, really interesting to me. I always think about it if I try out the automotive stuff and I really don’t like it, like it’s just not what I thought it was or I’m let down on something. Those careers just sound perfect for somebody who just wants to work and get their pay,” he said.
As students weigh their options after high school, CTE pathways could become a more practical and appealing alternative to traditional four-year colleges. With growing support from schools and federal policy, these pathways may continue to open doors for students to build stable and successful careers.
