Benson has 4 model Career Academies, which are the Business, Health Professions, Design, and Freshmen Academy. These academies are career paths for people unsure or struggling to choose a career path.
The Freshmen Academy is required for all incoming freshmen. Freshman Academy classes include taking freshmen seminar, English 1-2, U.S. History(H)(AP), Physical science 1-2 (H) or H. Medical biology, and math.
Throughout the year, the freshmen get to choose more electives and begin the process of deciding what academy they would choose to go in. Students going into 10th grade, are able to choose up to 2 Career Academies if they are unsure on what they want to be when they are older, or for the next year.
The Business Academy includes: Marketing, Finance, Banking, Accounting, Entrepreneur, Management, Real Estate, Public Relations, Insurance, Small Business Owner, Travel Agent, Photography, Journalism, Social Media, Restaurateur.
Students going into the Business academy get opportunities to enroll and get certifications of MCC: Honors Personal Finance, UNO Dual Enrollment care courses, ServSafe, and ProStart.
FBLA and DECA are part of the organizations that partnered up with Benson. FBLA is a program helping students in business academy through academy competitions, leadership development and educational programs. DECA is another program that helps students find strength in entrepreneurship.
The Design Academy has two pathways, construction, and graphic design. The construction design classes include: Architecture, Architectural Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Interior Designer, Construction Management, Construction Trades.
The Design Academy holds opportunities for dual enrollment and certifications with MCC: Architecture Design course, Adobe, and OSHA. Graphic design classes would include Web Design, Photo Editor, Digital Developer, 2D and 3D animation Designer, Website User Experience Designer.
Design Academy partners up with SkillsUSA to compete with other students in showing their skills and talent in their art. SkillsUSA’s mission is to “empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.”
The Health Professions Academy includes career field opportunities going from Athletic Trainer, Fitness Industry, Sports Medicine, Education, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Social Work, Criminal Justice, to CNA, Medical Nurse, Medical Doctor, EMT, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Occupational Therapist, Rehabilitation Therapist.
The Health Academy dual enrollment and certifications opportunities would be CPR/AED, EMP, CNA, personal training, fitness training, pharmacy technician. For UNO: Dual enrollment, and MCC: Dual enrollment.
The Health Academy partners up with HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) and Educators rising. HOSA is an organization that helps students improve their health service delivery and studies. HOSA participates in hands-on healthcare skills through competitions held at regional events and students who qualify can go to compete in state or national events.
Educators Rising is a student organization that helps students develop strong leadership through opportunities in their organization for student leadership. Educators Rising is aimed more towards students planning to be teachers. They offer hands on teaching experience which keeps their interest in the profession and helps cultivate the skills they need to be successful educators.