Wilson Talent Center Students Build Career Skills During CTE Month

At Wilson Talent Center in Mason, classrooms look a little different than a traditional high school.

Instead of desks and textbooks alone, students may find themselves practicing phlebotomy techniques, learning investigative procedures, or building technical skills that connect directly to future careers.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to highlight programs that help students explore career pathways while gaining practical experience. At Wilson Talent Center, students from across the Ingham ISD service area spend part of their school day immersed in hands-on learning environments designed to mirror real workplaces.

For students like Sophia Vue, a senior in the Medical Assisting program, the experience has helped shape her future.

“From a young age, I’ve always been interested in the medical field,” Vue shared. “Learning that my high school has given me the opportunity to take health care classes at the Wilson Talent Center has given me a good push into my future.”

Students in the program practice real clinical skills as part of their training. Recently, Vue and her classmates began learning phlebotomy—a process used to draw blood for medical testing.

“These are the kinds of advanced skills students are learning in our classrooms every day,” instructors explain. “Our goal is to give them experiences that connect directly to careers.”

For other students, the programs spark new interests they may not have considered before.

Jackson Bodwin, a junior in the Law Enforcement program, said stepping into the classroom for the first time helped him discover a new direction.

“During my sophomore year, we walked into this class, and it just sparked my interest,” Bodwin said. “Law enforcement is something I’ve always wanted to do. Once I saw this, I knew it.”

Wilson Talent Center offers more than 20 Career and Technical Education programs for juniors and seniors across the region. Many of these programs also offer early college opportunities, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school.

“It’s an opportunity for students to think about their interests and enhance them and grow them with career interest,” said Linda Daman, a college and career preparation and assessment coordinator at Wilson Talent Center. “Ten of these programs allow students to earn college credit and save money before graduation.”

The benefits extend beyond the classroom. By working with real equipment, practicing professional skills, and learning directly from industry-experienced instructors, students gain a clearer understanding of potential career paths.

Programs like those at Wilson Talent Center help bridge the gap between education and employment—giving students the chance to explore their interests, build confidence, and graduate with skills that prepare them for the next step.

Because sometimes the best way to learn about a career is to step into it.

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