Students get career-ready with support from local organization

PHOENIX (STN) – The Arizona Business and Education Coalition (ABEC) exemplifies how strong partnerships between schools and the business community are key to preparing students for successful careers.

As part of the March episode of ‘It Happens at STN,’ ABEC showcased how its collaborative efforts are helping students explore career pathways and develop essential skills for the workforce.

“Arizona Business and Education Coalition is a statewide coalition of business and education leaders who are focused on improving outcomes for our students,” said Tracey Benson, President and CEO of ABEC. “So we have thriving students, a thriving workforce, and a thriving state.”

One school benefiting from this approach is Tres Rios Service Academy, which integrates career exploration into its curriculum. The school focuses on law enforcement, military, and emergency medical services, giving students hands-on learning experiences in these fields.

“We’re there to facilitate their learning, but also in partnership with ABEC to ensure that we have the resources needed for kids to continue exploring careers that interest them,” said Amy Rendon, Principal of Tres Rios.

For students, these opportunities provide direction and confidence in their future careers.

“When I’m older, I want to be a doctor,” said Jazlynn, a student at Tres Rios. “I like coming to school and going to technology because we learn medical stuff like CPR and how to treat third-degree burns. We learn a lot about medical careers.”

Other students shared similar enthusiasm for their career aspirations.

“I just want to be a firefighter so bad,” said Trey, another student. “They save lives and they’re the first responders.”

Early career exposure’s impact goes beyond student enthusiasm—it sets them up for long-term success. Marco Rosero, a project manager at Orcutt/Winslow, emphasized the importance of introducing students to potential career paths as early as possible.

“I think the sooner, the better to get kids’ exposure to what kind of careers might be out there,” he said. “Having that direction earlier just sets them up for success later in life.”

Benson reinforced that business leaders play a vital role in shaping students’ futures.

“My message to business leaders is that you are vital to the future of our students,” she said. “What you do for them today while they are in our K-12 classrooms is going to impact their future, their economic mobility, and their social mobility. But it’s also going to meet the business and workforce needs of our future.”