Career technical education (CTE) programs, ranging from child development to automotive technology, enroll about 70,000 students across the Los Angeles Community College District. Despite the high demand, CTE students at Pierce College do not have the proper support to pursue their goals, because the college does not have a dedicated CTE counselor.
CTE programs can lead to high-paying jobs, internships and apprenticeships, often before students transfer to a four-year university—or without them having to transfer at all. But to get these lucrative opportunities, students need the right guidance. That’s why Pierce should designate or hire a specific CTE counselor.
Pierce has 10 full-time counselors, but none of them are specific for CTE, according to the Pierce Counseling department. This lack of support leaves CTE students to navigate their paths to employment largely on their own. Having to juggle writing cover letters, creating resumes and preparing for interviews without guidance can be overwhelming, especially for the many first-generation college students at Pierce.
Investing in a CTE counselor would prove worth it for Pierce. Not only are CTE pathways already popular, but they’re growing in demand. According to NPR, the number of community college students pursuing vocational programs has increased by 16% since 2022.
CTE programs are worthwhile for many reasons, including that they can lead to high-paying jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, trade-based careers often pay more than $50,000 annually, and many don’t require four-year degrees.
Several other similar colleges have CTE counselors, and Pierce should join the list. These nearby colleges include Los Angeles Valley College and Los Angeles City College. If Pierce wants to continue to attract career-focused students, it’s time to get a CTE counselor.
Pierce has a heavily transfer-focused counseling system, but not everyone plans to transfer. Even many students who do plan to transfer also want to pursue their career before they finish their four-year degree. Pierce can better serve the diverse needs of its students by having a CTE-specific counselor, in addition to the transfer support the college provides.