Starkville Rotary Club invited Millsaps staff to speak about work-based learning opportunities. Pictured: Tylan Calvert (SHS Senior), Dr. April Dill (Director of CTE), Rob Fyke (Work-based Learning Coordinator), Mary Frances Whatley (SHS Senior)
In September, Dr. April Dill, SOCSD Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), spoke to the Starkville Rotary Club about the programs available for high school students at the district's Millsaps Career and Technical Center. As part of the presentation, Rob Fyke, who joined Millsaps this school year as Coordinator of Work-based Learning, shared information about how the Center is working to offer more real-world job experiences to high school 11th and 12th graders. SHS seniors Mary Frances Whatley and Tylan Calvert joined the presentation to share their experiences this year in work-based learning jobs.
The presentation came as part of Rotary's ongoing emphasis and support of education in the community and offered a glimpse at the Millsaps programs and how local businesses and organizations can be more involved.
"At Millsaps CTC, our mission is to provide hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and career-connected instruction," Dr. Dill shared. "Our thirteen programs prepare students for success in college, technical training and the workforce."
The CTE pathways at Millsaps are two-year programs of study in career-centered areas such as Agriculture and Natural Resources, Welding, Unmanned Aviation, Digital Media, Building Construction, Sports Medicine, and more. Students who complete a two-year pathway have the opportunity to earn a CTE endorsed diploma available from Mississippi Department of Education as well as various national certifications related to specific fields of study. During the 2024-2025 school year, Millsaps saw 114 program completers, and 58 students received CTE endorsements. In addition, 48 students earned national certifications.
As part of the Center's goals this year, Starkville High is increasing work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for juniors and seniors, under the direction of Fyke. By taking advantage of the opportunity to work in local businesses while in high school, students gain real job experience, life skills and insight into their chosen career. Fyke said the program serves the community and businesses as well.
"These students are highly motivated, and they know what they want to do," Fyke shared. "They are true assets to the companies and organizations where they work. Our goal with the program is not only to give students experience, but to build a stronger, more engaged workforce for the community."
Fyke said that a large part of his job is to match students with desired work opportunities based on the career interests they've expressed, but it goes beyond that.
"Students complete an application, provide references, and go through an interview process to be placed in the work-based learning program," he said. "So, they are gaining that type of experience in soft skills as well."
Mary Frances Whatley, a senior at SHS, currently works as Sudduth Elementary as part of the WBL program. Although she was originally part of the Agriculture and Natural Resources pathway, she shared with the group that she realized she might not really want to work in that area.
"My family is in the farming industry," she shared. "I guess I always thought I would do that, but my work-based learning job at Sudduth helped me see that there are some other things I may be interested in doing. I really love it, and it's special to work with the kids and read to them."
For Tylan Calvert, also a senior, his goal of working as a welder hasn't wavered during his time in the two-year welding pathway. He expressed an interest in gaining experience, and currently works for True Grit Trading Company through the program.
"When I stopped by True Grit to see Tylan in action, they all knew who he was," Fyke shared. "They said 'he's always out there working!'"
Several SHS students are working part-time jobs this school year in placements across the district through the WBL program, as well as with business partners like BJ's Pharmacy, Kids Therapy Spot and Starkville Utilities.
Three Rivers Development, which provides Career Coaches to high schools across the state, also offers funding that can help offset costs to businesses who take on Starkville High students through the work-based learning program. The grant funds can provide payment to students for some hours over the course of a semester. Students are able to earn money while also learning specific industry-related skills, and they will leave high school with a resume that includes work experience in their chosen field.
