By Jayla Anderson ’26
On Jan. 14, Derby High School was invited to take a tour of Lincoln Technical Institution’s beautiful campus in Shelton, Connecticut. Eleventh and twelfth-grade students were introduced to alternative career paths away from the traditional college route.
There are many demands for skilled workers in all industries right now, and trade schools offer a faster route to stable careers. Many students are unaware of these opportunities and oftentimes overlook the idea of technical schools.
Lincoln Tech gave Derby High School students an opportunity to explore programs such as HVAC, nursing, culinary, electrical, welding, and other skilled trades. They got to observe the Lincoln Tech students in the culinary department, students working in the electrical & welding units, and students studying in the nursing department. The students were able to get a feel of what a day at the institution would be like.
Students were warmly welcomed and made comfortable by different directors and instructors who informed them of these programs that many of them had no idea even existed.
In addition to learning about the trade school route after high school, students were also introduced to other post-secondary education options. For example, the most common routes are four-year colleges, two-year colleges, joining the military, going straight to the workforce, etc. “I did not know there were many other options out there besides college until going on the Lincoln Tech trip,” Cam’ran Ross ‘26 explained. The tour truly opened students’ eyes to new possibilities.
As the trip came to an end, students left with new perspectives on not only trade schools but numerous post-secondary education routes and career possibilities. With graduation just around the corner for these students, this experience was a positive way to introduce them to alternative directions after high school.
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