Career Exploration and Guidance

CTE Pathways

Student Success Stories

CTE Director's Message

CTE Director's Message

Welcome from the Director of Career and Technical Education

It is my honor to serve as the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Garden Grove Unified School District. At Garden Grove Unified, we are committed to preparing all students for college, career, and lifelong success by providing equitable access to rigorous academics, innovative programs, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

In Career and Technical Education, our mission is to empower students with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global workforce. From cutting-edge technology programs to pathways in healthcare, engineering, digital arts, and beyond, our CTE offerings reflect the needs of today’s industries and the aspirations of our students.

As a district, we pride ourselves on fostering collaboration among educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure our programs stay relevant and impactful. We are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to explore their interests, develop their talents, and graduate ready to succeed in college, high-demand careers, entrepreneurship, or any other career path they choose.

Please explore this website for more resources and information about our classes, pathways, and programs. We are excited to assist all students in developing the technical skills, leadership abilities, and career preparation they will need to create a vision and action plan for a successful future. We also encourage students to speak with their school counselor to learn more about available opportunities and get answers to any questions they may have.

Warm regards,
Ulises A. Garcia Ed.D.
Director of Career and Technical Education
Garden Grove Unified School District

Career Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for a wide range of careers and for post-secondary education. Careers require varying levels of education: obtaining industry-recognized certification; community college Career Education certificates and associate’s degrees; apprenticeships; baccalaureate degrees; and graduate school and professional degrees.

CTE is at the forefront of preparing students to be “college- AND career-ready.” CTE equips students with:

  • core academic skills and the ability to apply and transfer those skills to real-world settings
  • employability skills (such as critical thinking, communication, and creativity) that are essential in any professional domain
  • job-specific, technical skills related to a specific career pathway