Career and College Prep
Career and College Prep is available to Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville (TVAH) by K12 students in grades 7–12. Whether your student is college-bound, eager to start a career, or still exploring their options, our Career and College Prep program helps them graduate with a map to their future.
Preparing Students for What’s Next
Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer support early and often. At Texas Virtual Academy at Hallsville, we help students use their middle and high school years to figure out where they want to go and map how to get there.
Middle School Career Exploration
In middle school, our 7–8th graders can take career exploration courses to discover their interests early, find their strengths, and start thinking about the career pathways they’ll take in high school.
High School Career Pathways
In high school, 9–12th graders can take a deeper dive into a career-focused concentration of their choice. Career pathways are an excellent way for students to get a jump-start on a career immediately after high school or to help them make the right decision about their college major.
Exciting Industry Clusters to Study
Hands-On Career Training Opportunities
Your student won’t just read about career skills — they’ll put them into action. Through opportunities like CPR training, media arts, and robotics, they can explore their interests, gain real-world experience, and build a portfolio of work that showcases their skills.
Real Support for Real-World Opportunities
At TVAH, students can discover their strengths and take important steps toward their future — whatever that future may look like for them. TVAH students can:
- Get guidance from dedicated counselors on colleges, scholarships, and career goals
- Earn college credit in select courses with dual enrollment at our partner institutions
- Prep to take industry-recognized certification exams during high school or after graduating1
- Participate in Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSOs)
- Develop marketable skills through hands-on and project-based learning
- Get assistance with résumés, interview prep, and more!
Career and Technical Student Organization Offerings
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) extend classroom learning into the real world. By joining, students gain access to industry networking, competitive events, and leadership scholarships.
BPA – Business Professionals of America (BPA)
BPA is one of the premier organizations for students pursuing careers in business and information technology. BPA is a co-curricular activity that enhances opportunities for students to participate in professional, civic, and service projects. Membership allows them to:
- Participate in academic competitions and community service activities
- Work toward earning industry-recognized certifications
- Participate in the Torch Awards program which guides service-learning projects
- Develop leadership skills by running for local or national office
- Connect with like-minded students who have similar career and academic interests
DECA
DECA is a not-for-profit student organization in high schools and colleges around the globe that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Founded in 1946, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators, and business professionals. Participation allows students to:
- Practice key leadership skills such as goal setting, consensus building, and project management
- Explore professional options, discover new career paths, and access new opportunities
- Connect with like-minded students who have similar career and academic interests
- Take part in programs and activities that use the latest technology and apply cutting-edge research
FBLA – Future Business Leaders of America
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) is the premier business career student organization in the world. Each year, FBLA-PBL helps more than 250,000 members prepare for careers in business and business-related fields. FBLA-PBL has four membership divisions: FBLA-ML for middle school, FBLA for high school, PBL for college, and the Professional Division for alums, business professionals, educators, and supporters.
FCCLA – Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America
Emphasizing family relationships, career readiness, and community leadership through family and consumer sciences education, FCCLA offers intracurricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. The FCCLA helps to:
- Provide opportunities for making decisions, assuming responsibilities, and preparing for adult life
- Strengthen the function of the family as a basic unit of society
- Encourage democracy through cooperative action in the home and community
- Promote greater understanding between youth and adults
HOSA – Future Health Professionals
An international student organization, HOSA promotes career opportunities in the healthcare industry and enhances the delivery of quality healthcare to all people. Founded in 1976, HOSA empowers students to become leaders in the global healthcare community, encouraging students to:
- Develop effective leadership qualities and skills
- Make realistic career choices and seek successful employment in the healthcare field
- Learn and identify current health care issues, environmental concerns, and survival needs of the community, the nation, and the world
- Get involved in local, state, and national healthcare education projects
SkillsUSA
With curriculum that covers 130 job categories and more than 600 national partners — businesses, trade associations, and unions — SkillsUSA gives students the opportunity to:
- Practically apply what they learn in the classroom
- Take courses in addition to those offered by the TOPS course catalog
- Participate in academic competitions and community service activities
- Connect with like-minded students who have similar career and academic interests
- Earn scholarships offered exclusively through SkillsUSA
TSA – Technology Students Association
TSA is a national, nonprofit CTSO of middle school and high school students who are engaged in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Since TSA was chartered in 1978, more than 5,000,000 students have benefited from membership. Students in TSA can:
- Compete in a wide variety of STEM competitions—from biotechnology and cybersecurity to STEM animation
- Participate in co-curricular activities and community service
- Gain 21st-century leadership skills
1Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to ensure students are better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will receive further preparation for certification testing.