Three-day Immersion Experience goes in-depth
Last week, students from Arlington ISD’s P-TECH programs at Lamar High School and Sam Houston High School stepped outside the classroom and into the real world of business, logistics and entrepreneurship as part of the district’s first-ever Industry Immersion Experience.
Over the course of three days, students visited local businesses – Spark, McKinley Packaging, and Summit Racing Equipment – to learn more about different careers in their chosen pathways. From logistics operations to startup strategy, students got a behind-the-scenes look at how different organizations function and what it takes to succeed in those fields. 
The new experience was designed as an extension of Arlington ISD’s commitment to career and technical education (CTE), specifically to support students in the business and cybersecurity pathway at Lamar and the logistics and mechatronics pathway at Sam Houston.
“For the last two years, the CTE department has hosted a Career Exploration Camp for younger students to spark interest in various careers,” said Sara Mahoney, CTE coordinator. “But we also wanted something deeper for older students who already have a sense of what they want to explore. That’s how the Industry Immersion Experience was born.”
Mahoney collaborated with her team to bring the idea to life, recruiting students from the P-TECH programs who are already enrolled in specialized coursework and work-based learning.
“This three-day experience allows students to go in-depth in an area they’re passionate about,” Mahoney said. “They’re getting to ask questions and interact directly with professionals, which helps make the learning real and applicable.”
For Anthony Romero, an incoming junior at Sam Houston and a small business owner, the experience was more than educational.
“I love to bake and cook,” said Romero, who runs his own cookie and cake pop business. “It’s awesome. It’s helped me connect with a lot of people, especially with people who will not only help me grow my business but help me connect with the city of Arlington.”
Romero said the Industry Immersion Experience is helping him expand his understanding of everything from finances and economic development to real estate. 
“It’s such an amazing opportunity that I have been given,” he said. “It will not only help students who are into business or logistics, but also those who want to have their own entrepreneurship.”
Fellow Sam Houston incoming junior Tim Owiti said the hands-on exposure gave him a better understanding of how businesses operate behind the scenes.
“One thing I learned this week is how different companies produce their products and how they are transported to their consumers,” Owiti said. “I really enjoyed it. To have that in-person experience and be able to see what goes on inside warehouses and different businesses was amazing.”
Beyond learning technical skills, students had the chance to reflect on their career interests, ask tough questions and envision what their futures could look like.
“Early exposure helps students identify what they do or don’t want to pursue as adults,” Mahoney said. “It gives them a safe space for exploration and empowers their choices moving forward.”
The Industry Immersion Experience reflects Arlington ISD’s ongoing commitment to preparing students not just for graduation, but for lifelong success in college, career and beyond.