MDUSD High School Career Pathways students participate in "Campus to Commerce" showcase

Students from all five MDUSD comprehensive high schools participated in the 2026 MDUSD "Campus to Commerce" Career Pathways Showcase on April 30 at John Muir Health in Concord, displaying photos, equipment and samples of their work and speaking to visitors about what they are learning. During the event, three students participated in a panel discussion about the value of the District's career pathways programs along with three internship providers from local businesses.

The participating Career Pathways programs included: Art and Digital Media, and Biomedical Science at College Park HS; Art & Digital Media, Photography, Construction and Engineering, and Transportation at Concord HS; Art & Digital Media, Engineering, Patient Care, and a Culinary pathway at Mt. Diablo HS; Art & Digital Media including animation and photography at Northgate HS; and Education, Engineering, and Health Care at Ygnacio Valley HS. 

The student panelists were MDHS Patient Care Pathway student Armando Soto, Northgate HS Animation student Yuna Ko and YVHS Engineering student Althea Vivar. Armando, a sophomore, said he has appreciated the internship and training opportunities he has received, which have strengthened his interest in healthcare. He has worked as a paid intern for MDHS teacher Dr. David Pintado's East Bay CPR organization, and has provided sports medicine care to MDHS athletes at games. Althea, a junior, said business partners such as Bishop-Wisecarver and Marathon help make the pathways more "real" by showing students engineering in action and providing resources to students, as well as providing role models for career options. Yuna, a sophomore, said her animation class taught her skills that helped her to earn national recognition at the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, receiving both a National Gold Medal and the prestigious Best-in-Grade Award/Scholarship for her comic book, Daltokki ex Machina. She said the animation pathway provides computer technology, technical certifications and real world experience that helped her to understand the workflow of an animator. 

Students showcasing their programs at display booths were also enthusiastic about the in-depth career education they are receiving. College Park HS Graphic Design Pathway student Amir Jones-Bey said he has created a portfolio in his Advanced Art class that includes post cards, stickers, music posters and coffee shop marketing materials. The portfolio can be used in college applications and job interviews and the skills he learned will benefit him if he pursues art as a career or a hobby, he said. Teacher Zach Sesar said students earn Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator certifications, which are helpful in project management careers. Concord HS Graphic Design teacher David Hevel said pathway students also earn college credits through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), which inspires them to continue onto college after graduation. Mt. Diablo HS culinary students Christian Para-Torrres, Xavier Navarro and Josue Morales said they are enjoying learning more about cooking, which will benefit them in life, as well as in restaurant careers if they choose to pursue them. MDHS Engineering students Jacob Aba and Carlos Wence said their courses are preparing them for careers as engineers or architects, and they enjoy the hands-on experience they are getting using a land surveyor tool, as well as other technical tools. 

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark and industry partners said MDUSD and internship mentors are working to teach students technical skills needed to pursue careers, as well as "soft skills," such as showing up on time, being able to work with diverse people, and critical problem-solving. Partnering with MDUSD and the local Workforce Development Board gives employers an opportunity to help shape the future workforce, while giving students valuable exposure to real life careers. "This really shows what is possible when a school district, health system, community college system, chamber of commerce and workforce development agency work together," Dr. Clark said.

Click to watch a reel highlighting the event.