What is My CTE Journey?
My CTE Journey is a web-based toolkit designed to support individuals, especially those with mental health, behavioral, or learning challenges, through every stage of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
This site offers accessible information, practical strategies, and targeted resources for choosing, enrolling in, navigating, and completing a CTE program.
Developed by researchers with clinical experience at Rutgers University, My CTE Journey was created with input from key stakeholders, including individuals with mental health and other challenges, CTE educators and employers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and disability service professionals.
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Why CTE?
CTE includes certification and degree programs that teach technical and professional skills aligned with real-world job requirements. Designed around industry standards, CTE prepares students for the workforce or further education.
CTE offers a path to quality jobs with living wages, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. With lower tuition and shorter completion times than four-year colleges, it’s a practical, accessible option for many.
Programs often combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences like apprenticeships, internships, and job shadowing, allowing students to apply skills in real-world settings.
CTE spans a wide range of careers—from traditional trades like construction and electrical work to fast-growing fields such as IT, renewable energy, and healthcare. It plays a vital role in connecting education to meaningful employment and building a more inclusive workforce.
