College & Career
Students preparing for life after high school, can take advantage of extensive resources and support from The Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program while exploring collegiate and career opportunities. Activities include:
Barnhart Pick-a-Cluster: a monthly event that features a variety of career paths within established career categories. Clusters include industries such as Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Services, Health Science, Manufacturing, Law, and Agriculture.
Barnhart Career Day at ACJ: this annual event is held every March and features more than 80 representatives from a variety of industries and professions to speak directly with students regarding education and training requirements in pursuing their designated career path.
University Visits: throughout the school year, universities and CTE partners are invited to meet with students on campus to share information about their respective institutions and answer questions. Lunch is always provided!
University Campus Tours: students can take advantage of day trips to designated Texas cities and explore a variety campuses. In the past, students have visited UTSA, Texas A&M University Kingsville, Del Mar College, Houston Baptist University, University of St. Thomas, Texas Southern University and University of Houston.
Career Technology Education (CTE): for students wishing to pursue trade schools for designated career paths, JBSP partners with Coastal Bend College and Del Mar College to visit both campuses and bring representatives to ACJ.
Student Panel Discussions: these peer-to-peer panels bring back recent ACJ graduates who are attending college or trade schools to share their experiences and insights with current students.
On-Site Job Shadowing: Students who have identified career paths may be matched with local businesses to shadow professionals and experience the workplace directly.
Academic Signing Day: Students gather and commit to their college/university of choice - it’s what they have worked so hard to achieve!
Coastal Bend College Recognition Day: Seniors who plan to attend CBC are invited to ring the College Acceptance Bell in the Barnhart Office.
JBSP supports students enrolling in CTE programs for careers. Pictured above an ACJ student practices blood sugar testing on campus.