Seventy Dallas high school students traded summer break for scrubs, code, and business plans this year, gaining real-world experience in healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship through paid internships.
The Dallas ISD Career and Technical Education Learn & Earn Summer Camps offered students hands-on training, industry certifications, and weekly stipends while exploring potential career paths.
At Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Vitals Camp participants earned certifications in emergency response and basic life support. They toured hospital departments and even visited the LifeFlight helipad.
Meanwhile, Tech Camp students at SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering built facial recognition systems using Raspberry Pi cameras and the Python programming language. Working with HAKing Innovation, they explored the applications of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The tech students’ final project impressed audiences with an AI-powered security system that scanned faces for simulated building entry. Participants earned Microsoft AI Data Fundamentals certification, positioning them for future tech careers.
At the Dallas College Workforce Center at RedBird, Biz Camp stretched students’ entrepreneurial muscles through business development exercises. The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship led sessions on design thinking, while students earned credentials from Google Cloud, IBM SkillsBuild, and Shopify.
The business camp culminated in Shark Tank-style pitches before a panel of judges. Winners Isaac E. and Gael J. will take their Chef Dash concept to NFTE Nationals in New York City.
Dallas ISD’s CTE Department designed the programs with support from USAA and the Dallas Education Foundation. The camps represent a growing trend of career-focused summer programming that pays students while preparing them for high-demand fields.