Career Start

WHAT IS CAREER START?

Students in Career Start are enrolled in one of many career pathway programs at Pikes Peak Community College allowing them to earn college credit and high school credit while working towards certifications and moving toward completing an associate’s level degree.  The career start program delivers career and technical education that provides students with concepts, academic and technical competencies, career skills, attitudes, and work habits essential to gain entry-level employment following high school graduation.  Program options include:

• Automotive Collision Technology*
• Automotive Service*
• Construction*
• Criminal Justice*
• Culinary Arts*
• Cyber Security*
• Diesel Power Mechanics*
• Early Childhood Education
• Fire Science Technology
• Health Careers Exploration
• Health Science Technology
• Mulitimedia Graphic Design*
• Radio & Television*
• Welding*
• Zoo Keeping Technology*

Students are bussed to the PPCC campus for a portion of their school day where they take multiple college classes in their chosen pathway.  instruction is provided in a 2-hour and 40-minute day, five days a week throughout the school year, provided in PPCC campus classrooms, labs and community settings using equipment similar to those used in business and industry.   Most career start programs are two-year programs (2-year programs are indicated by an asterick) and thus students are encouraged to begin during their junior year of high school so they can benefit from the entire program.  Career start is open to juniors and seniors.  D49 covers the cost of the program and students have the potential of earning up to 40 college credit hours throughout the course of the program; depending upon the individual student’s selected pathway.

Career Start programs begin in the fall semester each year and run the entire academic year.  Students who are interested in participating in Career Start should submit an application to their school counselor at the start of the spring semester for the next school year.  Students must complete a series of steps before being accepted into the program.  The Career Start program acceptance is done on a first come first served basis so all interested students may not be accepted.