MindShift Podcast Career Training Is on the Rise and These High Schoolers Are Out for Blood
Sep 8, 2026
High school students roll up their sleeves for hands-on phlebotomy training, practicing blood draws, patient consent, and clinical communication. Educators explore how Career and Technical Education is shedding old stereotypes through industry credentials, externships, and pathways that connect immediate work with future college and health-care careers.
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Students Face Real Blood Draws On Day One
- Summit Tahoma students learn phlebotomy through live demonstrations with needles, tourniquets, and blood samples.
- One student faints during the first demonstration, underscoring that students practice real clinical procedures rather than merely discussing them.
CTE Is Moving Beyond Its Old Stigma
- CTE gives students hands-on exposure to specific industries during the school day.
- Its old stigma came from routing students considered “not college material” into vocational programs.
Stackable Credentials Keep College Doors Open
- Stackable credentials let students enter work, earn money, and return to education later.
- A carpentry student might progress from apprenticeship certification to a bachelor’s degree in construction management.