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Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)

Nebraska Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are vital components of Career and Technical Education (CTE), enhancing student learning through real-world application, leadership development, and hands-on experiences! Integrated into classroom curriculum, CTSOs empower students to build employability and career-specific skills, preparing them for future success. Through activities, programs, and competitive events, students explore Nebraska career opportunities, develop technical and leadership abilities, and connect with peers, educators, and industry leaders. 

  • Students who participate in CTSOs demonstrate higher levels of academic engagement and motivation, civic engagement, career self-efficacy, and employability skills than other students!
  • Participating in leadership and professional development activities in a CTSO raises students’ educational aspirations!

Benefits of CTSOs to:

Students

  • Opportunities for all students with all ability levels
  • Apply academic and technical learning and skills to real life situations
  • Awards, competitions and scholarships
  • Development of the whole person, from technical skills to leadership skills
  • Physical and financial well-being; making decisions in real life application
  • Career awareness
  • Exposure to local, state, national and global opportunities, develop cultural competence
  • Discovery and utilization of individual strengths and talents
  • Learn how to be responsible, understand organization functions and how to carry those out to completion

Teachers

  • Professional development opportunities for growth
  • Build relationships with students that enhance classroom and out-of-class experiences
  • Connects real-life situations into the classrooms
  • Added support and validation of what is taught in the classroom

Schools

  • Engaged and involved students
  • Continual sense of school pride through organization involvement
  • Enhanced public relations between school, community, students, parents and families
  • Increased family engagement, involved because of children’s involvement
  • Leadership opportunities for students that transcends to other areas, apply CTSO knowledge to student council, athletic teams and more
  • Creates a way to “bridge” classes, all age groups work together for a common purpose

Community

  • Student involvement through community development and service projects
  • Career awareness in community, students aware of local careers which may encourage them to return to local area for future employment or entrepreneurship
  • Engage local businesses in school events and activities
  • Foster a level of respect for what community members, business leaders and employers offer to the community

Business & Industry

  • Ensures that local education and training programs meet business and industry needs
  • Prepares students for technical, skilled and service careers
  • Teaches students to become world-class employees and responsible American citizens

Center for Student Leadership and Expanded Learning

The mission of the Center for Student Leadership and Expanded Learning is to provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate leadership skills to become college and career ready.

This is accomplished through engagement in Career Student Organizations; leadership and personal responsibility; classroom learning combined with real-world relevance; teamwork and collaboration; and community service and citizenship.

DECA

DECA is organized around an ambitious goal: to improve education and career opportunities for students interested in careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

www.nedeca.org

Educators Rising

Educators Rising is an organization that helps make sure teachers have the experience and skills they need to be ready for the classroom. We provide passionate young people with hands-on teaching experience, sustain their interest in the profession, and help them cultivate the skills they need to be successful educators. The result is a pipeline of accomplished teachers who are positioned to make a lasting difference.

www.edrisingneb.org

FBLA

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) provides innovative leadership and career development programs for students interested in business administration, management, finance and information technology careers.

www.nebraskafbla.org

FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders; address personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

www.nebraskafccla.org

FFA

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

www.neaged.org

HOSA

Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is a national student organization that prepares health science students for careers as health professionals by developing leadership, compassion, character, and well being.

www.nehosa.org

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.

www.skillsusanebraska.org

Reference: ctsos.org

Updated January 16, 2025 4:14pm