The Randall Reed Community Center became curiosity central as over 1,300 Spring ISD students gathered for Career Destination 2025, the district’s signature Career and Technical Education (CTE) showcase for 8th graders across the district.

Hosted by the Spring ISD Career and Technical Education Department, the two-day event spanning  Oct. 8-9 connected eighth-grade students with high school CTE pathway ambassadors eager to share how hands-on learning prepares students for college, careers, and beyond.

Throughout the venue, high school students demonstrated what it means to learn by doing. Booths and displays represented every CTE pathway across Spring ISD; from pre-medical studies, law, and business, to vet services, automotive technology, culinary arts,animation and more! Each station gave visiting middle schoolers an opportunity to explore career options in a setting that felt both interactive and inspiring.

“This is our biggest event for eighth graders,” said Spring ISD Director of Career and Technical Education Cynthia Williams. “We bring every middle school to see all of the district’s pathways, and we use our high school students to lead the hands-on activities. Eighth graders really connect with them, ask great questions, and leave with a clearer idea of what they want to study in high school.”

Among the presenters was Thaddeus Handy, a senior in the Dekaney High School Pre-Medical Studies Pathway. Handy shared that his interest in medicine runs deep, rooted in a family full of healthcare professionals, but said that being part of the CTE program helped him turn that interest into a clear direction for his future.

“I grew up around nurses; my mom, my sister, and my aunts were all in the medical field,” Handy said. “Helping people has always been part of who I am. Even when I was younger, I’d pick the healer roles in games. Joining the pre-med pathway showed me what that really looks like and gave me a plan for where I want to go.”

As Handy talked with visiting students about the hands-on work in his program, he reflected on how events like Career Destination help younger students see the range of possibilities that await them; and give them a chance to start steering their lives in a positive direction early on.

“A lot of students don’t know what pathways are out there until they get to high school,” Handy added. “Even my best friend didn’t know there was a CCMA or pre-medical studies pathway — they thought it was just one class. Once they learned about it, it opened up so many doors. That’s why it’s important to show younger students these programs early, so they can see what’s possible and start figuring out what they want to do.”

Nearby, Aleyjah Evans, senior in the Law Pathway at Westfield High School, described how the program opened their eyes to the possibilities within legal and social work careers.

“Our teacher makes it real,” Evans said. “We work with fingerprints, practice investigative skills, and learn how to communicate in professional settings. It’s the kind of experience that prepares you for what’s next in life.”

At one table, Spring High School’s Pre-Med students guided younger visitors through medical demonstrations, while others stopped to watch Westfield’s FFA perform a live welding demonstration or ExxonMobil’s Teen Engineering Program showcase “Sparky,” the robot dog which was a fan favorite of the event.

Makaya Davis, an eighth grader from Bailey Middle School, said the experience helped her picture her future.

“I really liked the Westfield Army JROTC table,” Davis said. “That’s what I want to go to college for. It was great seeing students from the high school where I’ll go next year. Go Mustangs!”

The event gave students a valuable opportunity to learn about CTE programs early, helping them identify interests, set goals, and begin planning for the future. By exploring pathways now, students gain direction and a clearer understanding of how their passions can lead to meaningful careers.

Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar, Spring ISD continues to expand programs that link classroom learning to real-world experiences.

“Career Destination reflects our district’s commitment to preparing every student to be future-ready,” said Cuellar. “When students have opportunities to explore and connect their interests early, they gain the skills and confidence that open doors long after graduation.”

To learn more about Spring ISD’s Career and Technical Education programs, visit https://www.springisd.org/cte or follow @SpringISD_CTE on social media.