Career & College Prep
Career and College Prep
Are you a 9–12th grader looking to get a jump-start on your future? You can use your high school years to figure out where you want to go and how to get there. In addition to core courses, you’ll take career-focused classes to explore your options and find your passion—all while earning your high school diploma. Discovering what you want to do now can prepare you to dive into a career right out of high school or help you make the right decision about your college major.
Career Fields
Take career-focused classes in the high-demand pathway of your choice:
You can also:
Participate in career clubs
Prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams upon graduation*
Gain workplace skills
Job Shadow Week
Schools powered by K12 teamed up with businesses across the nation to give students the opportunity to explore different career fields while discovering their passions. Watch as students experience Job Shadow Week.
Career Clubs
CVA students can enroll in career clubs, also called career technical service organizations (CTSOs). CTSOs allow students with similar career interests to connect, practice professional skills, work on service projects, take field trips, and compete against other schools at the local, state, and national levels. NCVA offers this career club:
SkillsUSA Membership
With curriculum that covers 130 job categories and more than 600 national partners—businesses, trade associations, and unions—SkillsUSA gives students the opportunity to:
- Practically apply what they learn in the classroom
- Take courses in addition to those offered by the MNVA course catalog
- Participate in academic competitions and community service activities
- Connect with like-minded students who have similar career and academic interests
- Earn scholarships offered exclusively through SkillsUSA
*Timing for sufficient exam preparation, necessary prerequisites, and exam fees vary per specific certification. Students should check with their school counselor for details on exam fee coverage opportunities. Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.