LEWISTOWN — At 14- or 15-years-old, most ninth-grade students are still figuring out who they are, let alone what they want to do for the rest of their lives.

But at the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology, that exploration begins early — and for more than 100 junior high students preparing to take part in the Academy’s upcoming “Closer Look” tours, the next few weeks could shape the direction of their future.

For many of them, the process started years ago, even if they didn’t recognize it at the time. Their first introduction to the Academy came in fifth grade, when they walked through the building on an early educational tour.

At that age, the programs felt distant and almost unreal. Welding sparks flashed behind protective glass. Health science students practiced hands-on skills. Mechatronics students worked with equipment that looked futuristic. It was exciting, but it felt like something meant for older students.

By junior high school, the idea of career exploration became more concrete. Guidance counselors encouraged early conversations about interests, strengths and long-term goals. Students learned that applying to the Academy in ninth grade required more than curiosity. The application process has become increasingly competitive, balancing academics, attendance and professional presentation — the soft skills employers consistently seek.

Understanding those expectations early helps students prepare for the possibility of applying during their freshman year.

“Our comprehensive program begins with educational tours designed to familiarize fifth-graders with the various pathways available in CTE (career and technical education),” explained Laura Hicks, the Academy’s administrative director.

“Our primary focus is to ensure the best fit for each student, thereby maximizing their chances for success,” Hicks added. “There are instances in which a student determined to pursue welding discovers an interest in Precision Machining during the closer look session.”

This year’s ninth-grade tours will give students a broad overview of the Academy’s programs. Most will visit their top five areas of interest, while others explored all available programs. These visits offered a quick look at each program’s layout, expectations, and curriculum. But the Closer Look sessions go far beyond that. They are designed for students who want a deeper understanding of what a program truly offers — and what it demands.

One of the most meaningful aspects of these tours is that they are led by Academy students themselves. That peer-to-peer connection changes the entire experience. Younger students often feel more comfortable asking questions, and they respond to the authenticity of someone who was in their position only a year or two earlier. The student guides explain what daily work looks like, how they manage their schedules, and what drew them to their program.

Their pride is evident in the way they introduce their labs, describe their projects, and talk about the opportunities available. For visiting students, that pride is often the most convincing part of the tour.

During the Closer Look sessions, each visiting student selects one program to explore — or two if they are still weighing their options. They step directly into the classroom environment, observing lessons, interacting with instructors, and talking with current students. The experience gives them a clearer sense of the program’s culture and expectations. It also helps them imagine themselves in that space, doing that work, and pursuing that pathway.

For some students, the Closer Look confirms what they already believed. A student who has long been interested in welding may feel even more certain after spending time in the lab. But for others, the experience shifts their perspective. A student who arrives convinced they want welding may discover a stronger interest in Precision Machining after seeing the equipment and learning about the work.

Students who once assumed they would follow a traditional college path may realize how the Academy’s programs connect to post-secondary opportunities through partnerships with institutions such as Penn College, Penn Highlands and military pathways. These experiences show students that career and technical education is not an either-or choice. It can be a foundational step toward a wide range of futures.

The Academy’s goal is to help students find the best fit — the place where their interests, abilities, and long-term goals align. The Closer Look sessions are a key part of that process. They give students the chance to explore programs before the application period opens in February for the 2026-27 school year.

They also help students understand that choosing a pathway is not about limiting their options. It is about discovering where they can succeed.

Although the Academy officially hosts tours for fifth- and ninth-grade students, its programs occasionally participate in community events as well. For example, Mechatronics has taken part in Elementary STEM Night, giving younger students an additional opportunity to see what technical education looks like. These moments reinforce the idea that career exploration is a gradual process, shaped by experiences over several years.

As the next round of Closer Look tours begin, students will walk into the Academy with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Some will leave with a clearer sense of direction. Others will discover interests they didn’t expect. All of them will take an important step toward understanding their future.

For students trying to choose a career path at an early age, that step can make all the difference.