Career and College Prep at Volunteer State Virtual Academy
Middle and high school are the perfect time for your child to start thinking about their future—and we’re here to help them prepare for it. In addition to core academic courses, VSVA students can take career-focused classes to explore different interests and discover what they enjoy most.
As they work toward earning their high school diploma, students can develop real-world skills and explore potential careers. Whether your child wants to start a job right after graduation or head to college, these experiences can help them make more confident choices—like picking the right college major or training program that fits their goals.
Students can also:
Participate in career clubs
Gain workplace skills
Prepare to take industry-recognized certification exams upon graduation*
Job Shadow Week
Schools powered by K12 teamed up with businesses nationwide to give students the opportunity to explore different career fields while discovering their passions. Watch our students experience Job Shadow Week.
Career Clubs
VSVA students can enroll in career clubs, also called career technical service organizations (CTSOs). CTSOs enable students with similar career interests to connect, develop professional skills, participate in service projects, take field trips, and compete against other local, state, and national schools. In addition, teams from various schools compete against one another several times a year through competitions sponsored by one or more clubs.
VSVA offers the following CTSOs:
Future Business Leaders of America
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is the world’s premier business career student organization. Each year, FBLA-PBL helps more than 250,000 members prepare for careers in business and business-related fields. FBLA-PBL has four membership divisions: FBLA-ML for middle school, FBLA for high school, PBL for college, and the Professional Division for alums, business professionals, educators, and supporters.
SkillsUSA
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 DATX 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.