Parents wondering if their teen can try out different programs before settling on a major will find plenty of opportunities at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD).
Some high school graduates know exactly what they want to major in — but many need time and space to explore. WCCCD has built-in ways for students to try different paths before committing to a major.
“We tap students early on in the high schools through our dual enrollment programs,” says CharMaine Hines, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor, Academic Accountability and Policy.
At recent commencement ceremonies, she notes, students from Cass Tech, Renaissance, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harper Woods high schools earned not just a diploma but also a WCCCD degree or certificate.
Opportunities to discover new interests
Dual enrollment is just one way students can explore.
WCCCD also invites high school and college-age students to try programs in areas they might not have considered. Culinary arts students, for example, train in a state-of-the-art kitchen and serve meals at community events.
The downtown Entrepreneur Center offers courses in starting a business — a draw for many Gen Z students.
Other unique options include the fashion design program at the Eastern Campus and the STEM water immersion program, where students earn money in the summer while doing microbiology and chemistry research on Belle Isle. Students in this program are upskilling in the sciences while also building a portfolio of research experience that could inspire new career directions.
By trying out different fields in a low-risk environment, students can make more informed decisions about their long-term goals.
- What kinds of careers can my child prepare for at community college?
- How does community college provide a learning-centered environment?
This content is sponsored by Wayne County Community College District. Learn more about community college for your child at Metro Parent’s Community College Hub.
