So my son is picking his classes for high school this week. He'll be entering the 9th grade next year. We are having a dilemma on what route to go for high school for him. He's a bright kid, but does not live up to his potential in the slightest as far as schoolwork goes. So he's basically a C student. He does have interest in going to college, for some kind of engineering track, though not sure what yet. Our high school has a STEM program, and there is an engineering track, however, he doesn't qualify to enter it in 9th grade (when it's supposed to start), as he's not in a high enough level Math class. And he's a C student in Math, so I don't think trying to persuade the school to let him bypass the minimum requirements is going to fly.
There is also a vo-tech/trade school in our district. There is an "Information Technology" path there. Based on the description, it's basically for network type stuff, and computer repair. You do get a couple certifications by the end of high school if you stick with it. Here's the official description:
"The Information Technology Essentials program prepares students who are interested in networking and computer diagnostics want to be a part of an industry that never stands still for entry level positions within the information technology field. Beginning with Cisco IT Essentials, PC hardware and software, network operating systems are introduced. Students initially prepare for CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Server+ certifications and then, through the Cisco CCNA Discovery course, students learn networking concepts based on typical networks that one might encounter in a home or small office, or in larger, more complex enterprise models. Finally, students can prepare for the Cisco CCENT and Cisco CCNA certifications."
Based on his current grades, he probably won't be getting into any great colleges, unless he really turns things around. He can still get into something though. I know going the vo-tech/trade school route doesn't eliminate college from his future, but it just makes it a bit more difficult. As there is little room for electives, and I know a lot of colleges require 2 years of a foreign language just for admission, which is difficult (but not impossible) to fit into his schedule.
He initially was all for the trade school, but then when he saw all the electives and classes he could pick throughout high school, now he's not as eager to do it, as he wants to take more of the engineering courses. Though they aren't the type that really have you job-ready when you graduate, just application padding stuff to help you get accepted to colleges.
So anyways, just looking for some opinions from others. Does that IT essentials track seem like something that would be beneficial to go for? Are there viable jobs he'd be able to get right out of high school with those certifications? Or at least be attractive enough on his college applications to still attend if he still wanted to go that route?
There is also a vo-tech/trade school in our district. There is an "Information Technology" path there. Based on the description, it's basically for network type stuff, and computer repair. You do get a couple certifications by the end of high school if you stick with it. Here's the official description:
"The Information Technology Essentials program prepares students who are interested in networking and computer diagnostics want to be a part of an industry that never stands still for entry level positions within the information technology field. Beginning with Cisco IT Essentials, PC hardware and software, network operating systems are introduced. Students initially prepare for CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Server+ certifications and then, through the Cisco CCNA Discovery course, students learn networking concepts based on typical networks that one might encounter in a home or small office, or in larger, more complex enterprise models. Finally, students can prepare for the Cisco CCENT and Cisco CCNA certifications."
Based on his current grades, he probably won't be getting into any great colleges, unless he really turns things around. He can still get into something though. I know going the vo-tech/trade school route doesn't eliminate college from his future, but it just makes it a bit more difficult. As there is little room for electives, and I know a lot of colleges require 2 years of a foreign language just for admission, which is difficult (but not impossible) to fit into his schedule.
He initially was all for the trade school, but then when he saw all the electives and classes he could pick throughout high school, now he's not as eager to do it, as he wants to take more of the engineering courses. Though they aren't the type that really have you job-ready when you graduate, just application padding stuff to help you get accepted to colleges.
So anyways, just looking for some opinions from others. Does that IT essentials track seem like something that would be beneficial to go for? Are there viable jobs he'd be able to get right out of high school with those certifications? Or at least be attractive enough on his college applications to still attend if he still wanted to go that route?
Facebook
Twitter