Portland Student Excels in Career and Technical Education Program
Isaac Choi, a 10th grade student at the top of his class at Oregon Charter Academy , is preparing for a bright future in the medical field. After deciding he needed more flexibility and challenge, Choi found himself at ORCA six years ago. Here he has been thriving in our career and technical education (CTE) program, ASCEND, offered exclusively to our 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students.
Out of the five career pathways offered through the ASCEND program (computer science, business and management, hotel and tourism management, medical science, and veterinary science), Choi found that the medical science pathway best fit his interests. While participating in this program, he has had the opportunity to visit medical facilities, shadow professionals and attend discussion panels, all while his coursework reflects deeply on career development.
“ORCA is more challenging because it allows me to go at my own pace and not have to wait on the students around me,” said Choi. “Being introduced to the ASCEND program has opened my eyes to all the possibilities the medical field offers.”
ORCA has given him the flexibility to follow his dreams, which has put him well ahead of the curve. When Choi completes the ASCEND program, he will be given the option to go straight into the healthcare workforce through the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program approved by the National Healthcareer Association (CCMA-NHA) or use the coursework, internship experience and healthcare certifications to gain acceptance into competitive future healthcare training opportunities. Choi plans to attend a four-year university to study in the medical field.
“With so much flexibility in my learning schedule, I can volunteer much of my time at the American Red Cross,” said Choi. “I have also had time to devote to fencing, which has led me to achieve many accomplishments at a local and national level.”
ASCEND is just one of the many activities that Choi is involved in at ORCA; he is also part of the military leadership club, newspaper club, and the speech and debate club he founded. He holds leadership roles as president of the National Junior Honor Society, youth executive board member for the American Red Cross, parliamentarian at Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), student senator/representative for ORCA’s student government, and was admitted into the Student Healthcare Leaders Program at Adventist Health Portland.
ORCA is currently working on adding new career pathways to our growing ASCEND program to hopefully invoke the same dedication Choi has shown. More than 140 students are enrolled in the program this 2021-2022 school year and we hope to see that number increase next school year.