February is Career and Technical Education Month® (CTE), a time to celebrate our schools, programs, staff, and students who are working to develop the essential skills required for today’s workforce. Students choose a different type of education when they choose CTE; more hands-on, physical, and career focused.
With our country facing a significant skills gap, these students are stepping in to fill the void. A CTE program not only prepares them for a successful career but also ensures our workforce remains competitive and resilient.
Join us as we highlight and celebrate all things CTE this CTE Month. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn to learn more about our programs and our students.
Questar III BOCES Gaming and Multimedia student Xiell Owens is a senior at Robert H. Gibson Technical School from East Greenbush Central School District. Xiell joined the program with the aspiration of becoming a Graphic Designer, one of the many skills students develop in this program.
“I would say I’m artistic,” said Xiell. “I used to be more traditional with pencil and paper, but have switched to more digital art.”
Created by Xiell Owens.
Students collaborate and explore the world of game development, interactive design, 3D modeling, animations, digital storytelling, audio composition, and more. While some of these skills aren’t exactly what Xiell wants to do in the future, he still finds it valuable.
“It’s a rewarding experience,” shared Xiell. “It’s a good fallback option, and it’s helped broaden my skillset.”
Through the program, Xiell and his classmates have networked with industry-based professionals through classroom visits. They’ve also had work-based learning opportunities by working on projects for other students or organizations outside the school. Additionally, their teacher, James Stevenson, is an experienced professional within the gaming industry.
Created by Xiell Owens.
“Mr. Stevenson is great,” Xiell said. “He has experience in the field and can tell you exactly what you need to know better than a book can. It’s valuable to have him as our teacher.”
Outside of the technical skills required for the program, students like Xiell are also learning a vast array of life skills, such as communication and career readiness. These are taught during a program’s math, science, or English class. One skill that Xiell is grateful to have picked up here is financial literacy.
“It’s a lot more life-based here,” Xiell commented. “We never learned how to do taxes before, but I’m glad I’m learning it here. I feel more prepared (to graduate) than I probably would have been.”
As far as what comes after graduation, Xiell will be exploring graphic design jobs to immediately enter the workforce. He is also open to attending college to further develop his skills.