Valley High School's Student-Driven Showcase Empowers Freshmen to Choose Career Pathways

Valley High School recently held an innovative, student-led Showcase of Pathways, highlighting the critical importance of early career exploration for incoming freshmen. This initiative, held on March 18, 2025, emphasized the significance of choosing a pathway during the freshman year, setting the stage for focused skill development, hands-on experiences, and informed decision-making about future educational and career goals.

Student-Driven Showcase

The event marked a departure from traditional career fairs, putting students at the forefront of presenting their pathways. Amanda Comstock, Academy Coach, explained the shift from previous years: "In the past, we've had business partners represent the pathways. This year, we wanted to showcase our students' experiences directly." 

This approach not only highlighted the pathways but also demonstrated the leadership and communication skills developed by students in their respective programs. Mrs. Comstock proudly noted, "The students did it all. All I did was buy the balloons and table cloths."

Exploring Pathways

Freshmen actively engaged with each booth, collecting stickers to indicate their visits before declaring their interests. The event featured all of Valley’s pathways, each preparing students for college and career success. 

During the Showcase of Pathways, freshmen interacted with upperclassmen representing seven distinct pathways. Here's a glimpse into each:

Business Pathway: Lynoxx and Cyenna emphasized the practical skills taught in this pathway, such as money management and check writing, highlighting its universal application in real-world scenarios. They also gave away suckers to add a fun touch.

JROTC: Cadet Yuliana described JROTC as a dynamic pathway focused on discipline and leadership, offering a fun and engaging experience that goes beyond traditional classroom learning.

Electrical: Jewels noted that this pathway offers lucrative career opportunities and job security, while also fostering a tight-knit community among students.

HVAC: Alexa highlighted the exciting co-op opportunities available to seniors through partnerships with companies like Prudential, preparing students for in-demand careers in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Veterinary Science: Tyra enthusiastically shared that her teacher brings animals into the classroom daily, providing hands-on experience and practical knowledge for careers in animal care and medicine.

Building & Maintenance: Staff member Kevin Dennis presented this new pathway, emphasizing that students learn valuable maintenance and repair skills applicable to both personal use and professional careers in building and apartment maintenance.

Nursing: Ened emphasized that this pathway leads directly to careers in healthcare, offering job opportunities with local providers like Norton Healthcare and preparing students for medical professions.

Innovation in Peer-to-Peer Learning and Pathway Selection

Valley's approach of using upperclassmen to demonstrate pathways to freshmen is particularly innovative and effective. This peer-to-peer model provides relatable role models for incoming students, allowing for authentic sharing of experiences. It also builds leadership and communication skills in upperclassmen while creating a sense of community within pathways.

The top reasons students gave for selecting their pathways consistently included hands-on learning experiences, real-world skill development, and promising career opportunities. Many also cited engaging and supportive teachers as a key factor in their decision. The sense of community within pathways was another significant draw, with students appreciating the close-knit relationships formed with peers sharing similar interests and goals.

Valley High School's Showcase of Pathways exemplifies a student-centered approach to career exploration, empowering freshmen to make informed decisions about their educational journey. By leveraging peer-to-peer interactions and highlighting diverse career opportunities, Valley is preparing its students for success in both college and career, starting from their very first year of high school.