Mountainland Technical College (MTECH) recently welcomed families to its annual "Get the Scoop" career family night on September 22 in Lehi, where parents and students enjoyed ice cream as they learned more about career and technical education opportunities.
The MTECH staff arranged many hands-on activities and presentations to give students and their families the opportunity to explore and plan for their futures.
“[Get the Scoop is] a pivotal opportunity for students and families to explore diverse career and technical education pathways,” said Ryan Nield, CTE director for Alpine School District. “This event underscores our commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers through innovative educational experiences.”
The night was filled with chances for students of many ages to get some experience with career and technical education. There were booths set up for many of the pathways students might wish to explore, going into their high school and college lives. Among these booths, some of the most popular were the “Hospitality, Events and Tourism” booths–specifically the Culinary Arts activity– as well as the activities inspired by the “Digital Technology” pathway.
Nield expressed his gratitude for Alpine School District’s partnership with Utah Valley University (UVU) and MTECH. This collaboration ensured the event could be organized on such a large scale and allowed families to benefit from the wealth of information and resources provided.
CTE programs give students opportunities to consider what their future careers could be. These educational experiences also provide young students with an outlet to express their creativity and discover new skills.
Additionally, with UVU’s dedicated section at the event, students were able to see how technical training could connect seamlessly into higher education, opening doors to long-term career success.
Parents who attended this year left with valuable knowledge about opportunities that extend from junior high school through university programs at UVU or MTECH. These programs have the potential to lead students into high-wage, high-demand careers.
Get the Scoop has been an annual event since 2019. Its success lies in combining fun with meaningful learning opportunities that connect directly to students’ futures, according to Nield.
The event demonstrated the significance of providing students with hands-on learning experiences. This collaboration between students, parents, and educators can and will play a great role in shaping the future. Events like these are more than informational nights; they are community investments in the next generation of learners and leaders.