For many go-getters, there’s life after Career Tech

This May, the senior class of Mat-Su Career and Technical High School will graduate. Some students are continuing their education, while others will enter the workforce.

By talking to the graduating students, you can quickly see that students here are going in many different directions. Some are taking a more traditional route, while other students have plans that are as unique as they are. Though it is a small class, these young adults have big plans.

According to student Molly Matlock, “The tech school has influenced my choices by making me aware of them.” She cites the school counselors, who help students find jobs, scholarships and other resources.

After graduation, Matlock said she plans to take her core classes Mat-Su College before transferring to the University of Alaska Anchorage. She said she is already taking college classes through the Tech Prep program. The partnership between CTHS and Mat-Su College allows students to receive college credit for certain high school classes for a fraction of the cost. Matlock will graduate CTHS with seven college credits.

Other students are going out of state for college. Lindsey Inglet has chosen to attend Moore Park College in California. She will be attending college to become an exotic animal trainer. Inglet said she was drawn to this career because of her interest in animals, and the many opportunities that this career offers.

“It’s a worldwide career,” she said. “I can go anywhere in the world with amusement parks or zoos. Or I can specialize in a certain animal and work in zoos.”

Another common choice for students is to take college classes that interest them while working. This is what Bria Shell said she plans to do. Shell is enrolled in the after-school photography class at CTHS and is looking into taking classes on the subject at UAA.

She said she also plans on working and eventually opening her own photography business. When asked about her next steps, she said, “I would love a little break in school to figure out how to live on my own and make my own money. I am a person who wants to do things independently, so teaching myself how to make a living excites me.”

Planning to go to college part-time, or not at all, is a decision some working students have made. Brandon Sawyer says CTHS has helped him find what he wants to do.

“Basic and advanced web made me realize that I want to program. I want to work with software,” he said.

Sawyer designs websites with a local company. But when it comes to education, he says his plans will depend on what future employers want. “I don’t know if I’ll go to college. It depends on what employers want. I’d rather have skills.”

Besides college, another common choice for students is the military.

Robert Doty comes from a military family, which is one of the reasons he has decided to enlist in the Marines. He was recently sworn in. Doty plans to graduate with the senior class in May. After graduation, he will be sworn in again and will officially become a Marine. He leaves for boot camp in October.

“I’m hoping to train and eventually become a sniper,” he said.

Doty said the skills he learned at CTHS, like perseverance, will be useful in the Marines. “It teaches good quality and character. It’s gotten me to where I’m hard working, and I’ll stick with it.”

Whether they’re staying in the Valley or moving somewhere new, CTHS students are going places.

Sophie Harris is a senior at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.