🛠️ The STCTC Career Exploration Wheel: Find Your Path
The Career Exploration Wheel at the Strom Thurmond Career & Technology Center (STCTC) is a dynamic, hands-on introductory program designed to help students discover their passion and choose a specialized career pathway in South Carolina's high-demand industries.
Instead of guessing your future, you get to try it out! Students rotate through short, intensive modules covering a broad spectrum of technical fields. This rotation model ensures you gain a foundational understanding of multiple trades and professional clusters before committing to a multi-year program.
🔄 The Rotation Modules: Get Hands-On Experience
The Career Wheel exposes students to introductory units in the following diverse, high-value career and technical education (CTE) areas:
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Industry Cluster
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Module Focus
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What You'll Experience
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Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
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Welding: Learn basic shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and metal fabrication safety.
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Hands-on experience with welding equipment and joint types.
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Construction: Introduction to building principles, tools, safety, and blueprint reading.
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Basic carpentry, measuring, and materials handling.
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Transportation
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Automotive: Fundamentals of vehicle maintenance, diagnostics, and shop safety.
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Introduction to engines, fluid checks, and tire services.
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STEM & Technology
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PLTW Engineering: Introduction to the principles of design, problem-solving, and the engineering process.
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Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum activities and design challenges.
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Cybersecurity: Learn digital safety, network basics, and ethical hacking fundamentals.
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Introduction to network defense and data security practices.
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Health & Wellness
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Health Science: Basic patient care, medical terminology, and infection control procedures.
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Hands-on lab work and vital signs practice.
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Sports Medicine: Introduction to athletic injury prevention, first aid, and taping techniques.
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Learn basic anatomy and emergency care protocols (like CPR/First Aid).
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Business & Human Services
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Cosmetology: Basics of hair, skin, and nail care; sanitation; and salon professionalism.
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Practice fundamental techniques in a salon environment.
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Business Classes: Fundamentals of business management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
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Basic accounting principles and career readiness skills.
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Animal Science
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Animal Science: Introduction to large and small animal care, veterinary science, and farm management.
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Basic animal handling, health, and agriculture technology.
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Agriculture
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Agriculture: Study the science, technology, and business of plant and animal production, essential for South Carolina's economy.
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Explore modern farming practices, crop management, and sustainable agriculture techniques to support careers in agribusiness and environmental stewardship.
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✅ Your Next Step
The Career Exploration Wheel is your essential first step at STCTC. By completing the rotation, you are prepared to make an informed decision about which Career Pathway (like the Health Science or Welding program) you want to pursue for the remainder of your high school career, leading to industry certifications and college credit opportunities.
