Alumni Testimonials

I highly recommend taking the courses to obtain the Work-Based Learning & Career Counseling Certificate. After working for the State Department of Labor for eight years, I had a solid understanding of workforce development, but I lacked a comprehensive understanding of the K-12 nuances. When I took on the role of Career Coach, I had already completed another type of training/certification. While that other training/certification was helpful for a 50,000-foot overview, I had the pleasure of learning about curricula in the K-12 educational setting through my course within UMES’s CTE graduate program, where I obtained my Work-Based Learning & Career Counseling Certificate. The content, coursework, and instructors provided insight, competencies, and foundational planning that helped me become an effective career coach, speaking the educators’ language to support both my colleagues and our students. 

Shay Lewis-Sisco, GCDF, CFJST
– Career Coach
– Dorchester County Public Schools

After completing my bachelor’s in engineering, I wanted to transition into education, but I needed the right education. The Master of Education in Career and Technology Education program at UMES was the perfect bridge. The program allowed me to continue working full-time, while the professors provided opportunities for research and networking through organizations like ITEEA. This program didn’t just help me transition careers; it gave me the pedagogical skills and professional network to become a successful engineering instructor.

Zachary Bartemy
– Engineering/PLTW Teacher
– Wicomico County Public Schools
– 2024-2025 Somerset County Public Schools Teacher of the Year