Our students are preparing for the future—today! Through Work-Based Learning, they’re developing career skills, professionalism, and confidence in the workplace. Check out this week’s featured story from the LHS WBL program.
CTC Open Houses – Plan Ahead for the 2026–2027 School Year
DeSoto County School District invites current 9th- and 10th-grade students and their parents to attend upcoming CTC Open Houses at both CTC campuses. These come-and-go events are designed to help families make informed decisions about career and technical programs for the 2026–2027 school year.
🔹 CTC West
📅 Thursday, January 8
⏰ 4:30–6:30 p.m.
🔹 CTC East
📅 Tuesday, January 13
⏰ 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Students and parents will have the opportunity to explore program offerings, ask questions, and gain clarity on expectations. CTC counselors will be on site to provide guidance on program selection, scheduling, and the application process.
No registration required. Attend at your convenience and take a proactive step toward future-ready planning.
DeSoto County School District invites current 9th- and 10th-grade students and their parents to attend upcoming CTC Open Houses at both CTC campuses. These come-and-go events are designed to help families make informed decisions about career and technical programs for the 2026–2027 school year.
🔹 CTC West
📅 Thursday, January 8
⏰ 4:30–6:30 p.m.
🔹 CTC East
📅 Tuesday, January 13
⏰ 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Students and parents will have the opportunity to explore program offerings, ask questions, and gain clarity on expectations. CTC counselors will be on site to provide guidance on program selection, scheduling, and the application process.
No registration required. Attend at your convenience and take a proactive step toward future-ready planning.
Save the Date! If you are interested in helping with the event or facilitating a session, please contact Nici Hill, Career Coach at nhill@trpdd.com, or Jessica Burgess, Work-Based Learning at jessica.burgess@dcsms.org.
Hernando High School hosted a high-impact Lunch and Learn today, drawing 20 students eager to explore career pathways in the skilled trades. Feedback was strong—one student called it “one of the best opportunities given at school,” already preparing to sign up in May. Two seniors followed up afterward to share how encouraged they were by the job prospects presented.
We extend our appreciation to Chris Mathis, Training Director for the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipefitting, for delivering a high-value session. His industry insight and clear roadmap for entering the trades resonated with our students and reinforced the competitive opportunities available in our region.
Strategic partnerships like this move the needle for our workforce pipeline and give students a line of sight to real, sustainable career options.
We extend our appreciation to Chris Mathis, Training Director for the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of Plumbing and Pipefitting, for delivering a high-value session. His industry insight and clear roadmap for entering the trades resonated with our students and reinforced the competitive opportunities available in our region.
Strategic partnerships like this move the needle for our workforce pipeline and give students a line of sight to real, sustainable career options.
This week, we’re taking a moment to spotlight a key member of our support infrastructure: our Student Services Coordinator. This role keeps our CTE pipeline running smoothly by providing students with targeted guidance, program navigation, and wraparound support.
Career pathways come alive through Work-Based Learning! Each week, we highlight a student applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Learn more about this week’s featured student below!
Building the Bridge from School to Career
Our Career Coaches work hard each week to connect students with meaningful career experiences and industry leaders. These partnerships provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and exposure they need to succeed in the workforce and in life.
See this week’s connection in the flyer below!
Our Career Coaches work hard each week to connect students with meaningful career experiences and industry leaders. These partnerships provide our students with the knowledge, skills, and exposure they need to succeed in the workforce and in life.
See this week’s connection in the flyer below!
For more information or to help with the event, please contact Loren Burse, Olive Branch High School Career Coach at lburse@trpdd.com
Our CTE Counselors will be on-site at DCS schools during lunch on scheduled days to provide high-touch support for students exploring next-step pathways.
They will be available to:
• Address program-specific questions
• Provide strategic guidance on selecting the best-fit CTE pathway
• Assist with the application process for all CTE programs
We encourage students to leverage this on-campus touchpoint and take decisive action toward their long-term career trajectory. Your future workforce journey starts here.
They will be available to:
• Address program-specific questions
• Provide strategic guidance on selecting the best-fit CTE pathway
• Assist with the application process for all CTE programs
We encourage students to leverage this on-campus touchpoint and take decisive action toward their long-term career trajectory. Your future workforce journey starts here.
CTE Application NOW Open!
DeSoto County Schools Career & Technology Centers are excited to announce that the application for the 2026–2027 school year is now open! Students interested in exploring career pathways, gaining hands-on experience, and preparing for postsecondary opportunities are encouraged to apply.
Our Career Tech programs offer industry-aligned instruction, certifications, and real-world learning experiences designed to support students as they prepare for college, careers, and beyond.
The application will remain open through Friday, February 6. All interested students should submit their application before the deadline to be considered for program placement.
Congratulations to our seniors who completed the NWCC Workforce Development Manufacturing Skills Program. This partnership continues to strengthen our talent pipeline and equip students with real-world skills for the regional workforce. #CareerReady
Engaging with industry professionals is a critical component of preparing students for long-term career success. Thank you to Rickie for bringing firsthand insight that supports our district’s workforce readiness goals.
#WorkforceDevelopment #CareerReady
#WorkforceDevelopment #CareerReady
We’re proud to highlight graduates who leveraged high-school opportunities and industry connections to launch meaningful career pathways. Meet this week’s featured alum below.
DeSoto County Schools announces Dual-Credit Partnership with Mississippi University for Women
#TeamDCS #BeTheStandard
#TeamDCS #BeTheStandard
As we continue driving strategic alignment across our schools, we want to spotlight the value of the one-on-one meetings our Three Rivers Career Coaches hold with students. These touchpoints may not carry the fanfare of large-scale events, but they deliver high-impact outcomes that move the needle on career readiness in a very real way.
Individual conversations allow our coaches to drill down into each student’s interests, goals, and emerging strengths. That level of personalized guidance equips students to chart a clearer path forward and ensures our workforce initiatives remain tightly aligned with actual student needs.
Not every meaningful experience happens in a crowded room. Sometimes, the most consequential development occurs across a small table—one student, one coach, and a focused dialogue that helps shape the trajectory of a young person’s future.
Individual conversations allow our coaches to drill down into each student’s interests, goals, and emerging strengths. That level of personalized guidance equips students to chart a clearer path forward and ensures our workforce initiatives remain tightly aligned with actual student needs.
Not every meaningful experience happens in a crowded room. Sometimes, the most consequential development occurs across a small table—one student, one coach, and a focused dialogue that helps shape the trajectory of a young person’s future.
Bringing industry expertise into our classrooms is key to preparing students for success beyond graduation. Guest speakers offer insight into real-world career paths, inspiring students to think about their future opportunities. See the flyer for a guest speaker highlight.
When students hear directly from professionals in the field, it bridges the gap between education and employment. We appreciate our WBL teachers for coordinating these impactful guest speaker sessions that spark career interest and broaden horizons.
Work-Based Learning wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated teachers and industry partners who mentor students each day. Meet this week’s featured student who’s thriving thanks to hands-on experience and community support!
Career Coach Connection – Weekly Spotlight
Each week, we highlight a unique opportunity for our students to connect classroom learning with real-world career pathways. Our Career Coaches work directly with local industries, community partners, and educators to create hands-on experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation.
Check out this week’s connection in the flyer below!
Each week, we highlight a unique opportunity for our students to connect classroom learning with real-world career pathways. Our Career Coaches work directly with local industries, community partners, and educators to create hands-on experiences that prepare students for success beyond graduation.
Check out this week’s connection in the flyer below!
Horn Lake High School raised the bar this week with a high-impact Trades Day designed to give our College & Career Readiness and JROTC students a firsthand look at high-demand skilled pathways. This event delivered practical, real-world learning aligned to the district’s workforce readiness agenda and showcased strong industry partnerships that continue to move the needle for our students.
Students engaged in hands-on rotations with a broad slate of regional employers:
*Mid-South Independent Electrical Contractors demonstrated core electrical principles and let students test how electricity flows.
*Canadian National Railroad walked students through measuring a wheel flange and changing a brake shoe—critical rail operations competencies.
*Tri-State Utility Contractors provided locating equipment used in underground directional drilling, giving students a window into modern utility fieldwork.
*Mississippi Rural Water Association facilitated a water-filtration activity using cotton balls, sand, and rocks, reinforcing foundational environmental systems concepts.
*Southeastern Carpenters Local 1554 brought a welding simulator, allowing students to experience a controlled introduction to welding.
*United Association of Plumbers Local 17 highlighted core plumbing skills and industry expectations.
*Hyosung HICO demonstrated how high-capacity electrical transformers support the power needs of supercomputing.
This initiative was strategically coordinated by Career Coaches Robin Henessee and Pat Brady, whose leadership ensured seamless execution and high-value engagement for students.
DeSoto County Schools remains committed to expanding career-aligned experiences that prepare students for both college and the modern workforce.
Students engaged in hands-on rotations with a broad slate of regional employers:
*Mid-South Independent Electrical Contractors demonstrated core electrical principles and let students test how electricity flows.
*Canadian National Railroad walked students through measuring a wheel flange and changing a brake shoe—critical rail operations competencies.
*Tri-State Utility Contractors provided locating equipment used in underground directional drilling, giving students a window into modern utility fieldwork.
*Mississippi Rural Water Association facilitated a water-filtration activity using cotton balls, sand, and rocks, reinforcing foundational environmental systems concepts.
*Southeastern Carpenters Local 1554 brought a welding simulator, allowing students to experience a controlled introduction to welding.
*United Association of Plumbers Local 17 highlighted core plumbing skills and industry expectations.
*Hyosung HICO demonstrated how high-capacity electrical transformers support the power needs of supercomputing.
This initiative was strategically coordinated by Career Coaches Robin Henessee and Pat Brady, whose leadership ensured seamless execution and high-value engagement for students.
DeSoto County Schools remains committed to expanding career-aligned experiences that prepare students for both college and the modern workforce.
