Students pursue careers of service through CTE

Student in scrubs flexes a patient's leg“I like to help others.”

Ask 10 random students in the Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program at Capital Region BOCES why they are pursuing careers in health care and nine of them will provide some form of that answer.

Take for example Alexa Garcia, a junior from Scotia-Glenville enrolled in the program.

“I want to help people and make a difference in their lives.”

More than 100 students from nearly two-dozen school districts are enrolled in the program this school year, pursuing careers ranging from patient care assistant to registered nurse (RN), radiologist and even physician. Students completing the program can graduate high school with certifications as a home health aide (HHA) and personal care aide (PCA) or nurse assistant (NA) and enter the workforce, or they can pursue further education in college.

Student makes bed“I chose BOCES because I want to pursue a career as a travel nurse,” said Caitlin Engle, a Sharon Springs junior. “I like coming here and being able to learn new things and have new opportunities that will help me in the future.”

Senior Cayden Savino is planning to become a registered nurse after a stint in the military.

“I plan to go into the Air Force and become a clinical nurse and when I am done, get my RN certification and go to work for Veterans Affairs,” he said.

Junior Adrianna Schultz is planning a career as an anesthetist.

“My mother is an RN, and I am thinking of becoming a nurse anesthetist,” the Shenendehowa student said.

Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program students learn through clinical training and classroom preparation how to provide valuable skills in conjunction with professional nurses.student checcks blood pressure

Enrollment is currently underway for the 2025-25 school year. For more information on the Two-Year Sequence of Health Careers program or any other career and technical school program, visit the program page of the website.