Diversified Occupations (DO) is one of eight Career Technical Education (CTE) programs at Milton High School. At one point the program nearly dissolved as fewer students participated and the former CTE director left Milton. However, according to CTE teacher Ms. Amanda Smith, who coordinates the program, it was revived in 2021.
The current program began with a small group of students but has grown, she said. The first year (2021) Mrs. Smith only had three students. In 2022 she had 21 students. Last year she had 20, and this year she has 13.
“No more than 30 students can take it in a given year,” said Ms. Smith.
Diversified Occupations offers many different career field options, such as a medical program, cosmetology, technology and culinary, said Ms. Smith. However, to be able to complete the DO program, students must meet many requirements, she added.
For example, to work in nursing, students must apply in their junior year and fill out all the applications as well as doing the required interview process in January-February, according to Ms. Smith. Applicants then go through an onboarding process which includes clearances, drug screenings and other requirements for employment. In the summer all DO students must attend a meeting with their employer/supervisor and their parents to make sure they know all the rules and regulations, Ms. Smith explained.
All DO students also must complete 720 hours in the program between class time and work time. Students complete 110 classroom hours and must have at least 610 working hours throughout the whole year, added Ms. Smith.
Every DO participant is paid, which is a requirement of the program. Pay typically ranges from $11 to $18 per hour, according to Ms. Smith.
DO students are able to make their own class schedules with guidance. They only have to take one or two core classes and can also choose what time they will leave for their DO placement, Ms. Smith added.
However, Ms. Smith said that there are pros and cons to participating in DO. One con is missing school activities, such as pep rallies and assemblies, because students are scheduled to work. The school does not provide transportation, so students must get a ride or drive themselves, added Ms. Smith.
On the other hand, DO helps develop time management skills when making time for work and school, said Ms. Smith. Participants would also be earning a check along with experiences of a real job they would want.
Another possible DO advantage is being able to work in the school in some cases. According to Ms. Smith, Senior Artur Babakov will be working with the maintenance department.
Current DO students are also working at Beards Barbershop, Milton School District (Technology Department), Geisinger (various locations) and ML Excavating, added Ms. Smith.
According to Mr. Andrew Rantz, director of secondary education and CTE Coordinator, if a student would like to participate in a DO, they need to contact their guidance counselor and Ms. Smith in their sophomore year. They should then plan to double up on core classes their junior year to have enough credits to graduate senior year. A student can find Ms. Smith in the high school’s CTE hallway, Room 147.
