BOCES provides students with the opportunity to receive a certification and go straight into the workforce. Many think that BOCES is for students who struggle in school and need to learn a trade because they won’t be going to college. To me, BOCES students work harder than regular high school students.
“It really is a learning experience and people underestimate the education you receive there,” commented senior Joey Zavesky. As a junior Joey was in the Nurse Assisting program and is now in the Medical Assisting program. BOCES is a place where students are encouraged to be themselves and to test a career field they’re interested in.
Many people hear BOCES and aren’t sure what it involves. BOCES is an additional school for high school students who pick an interesting career and technical education program and attend half day. The other half they take required high school credits, usually English, math, history, and science. Some programs are two years long while others only last a year. Upon graduating students are certified in the program they chose and can look for a job in that field.
During my junior year I attended the Clinical Medical Assisting program. At the end of the yearlong course I became a Medical Assistant and was certified in CPR, EKG, First Aid, AED (automated external defibrillator), and phlebotomy (drawing blood). “Internship was such a great experience for me where I was able to put my skills to use in the real world,” said senior Emily Taboada. Emily attended the Medical Assisting program last year and is currently studying Dental Assisting. BOCES provides students with an internship experience to use the skills they’ve learned. During my last month in the program I went to Peconic Bay Medical Center every other day and worked in all different areas of the hospital—from the emergency room to the maternity ward.
For high school students who are unsure of what career they want to go into as an adult BOCES is a great way to try out a field to see if it’s right for you. I’ve wanted to become a nurse for years and through BOCES I really made sure that healthcare was the field for me. “It helps you become more independent and give you a feel of what college may be like,” said Joey Zavesky.
BOCES is an amazing opportunity that students should look into to see if it’s a fit for them. Look at the list of programs offered below and if one strikes your interest, talk to your guidance counselor about attending BOCES as a junior or senior!
BOCES Programs:
Animal Science
Art Design & Visual Communications
Audio Production
Auto Body Repair and Refinishing
Automotive After-Market Accessory Installation
Automotive Technology
Aviation/Airframe Mechanics (FAA)
Aviation/Professional Pilot
Barbering
Carpentry/Residential Construction and Home Improvement
Certified Personal Trainer
Clinical Medical Assisting
Computer Science Technology
Computer Technology
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts/Restaurant Operations Management
Dental Assisting
Early Childhood Education
Fashion Merchandising
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Law Enforcement
Marine and Outdoor Power Equipment
Motorcycle Technology
Nurse Assisting
Pharmacy Technician
Plumbing and Heating
Practical Nursing
Professional Photography/Digital Photography
Technical Theatre and The Performing Arts
Television, Video & Digital Film Production
Trade Electricity
Welding/Metal Fabrication