For students at Buncombe County Center for Career Innovation (BCCI), learning does not always happen behind a desk.

Recently, students from various grade levels stepped outside the classroom for a day of teamwork and connection at the Asheville Adventure Center. Through team-building activities and shared challenges, students had opportunities to work alongside peers they may not normally interact with during the school day.

The experience gave students a chance to encourage one another, communicate, problem-solve and build relationships in a setting where they could learn more about themselves and their classmates.

Field trips and hands-on experiences like this can play an important role in helping students develop a sense of belonging. For students who are learning in a career-focused environment, building strong relationships with peers is another part of preparing for the world beyond high school.

BCCI is a career-focused school that utilizes local partnerships and an innovative curriculum to help students develop the skills and experiences they need to graduate with a job offer and be prepared for a career in their local community.

Opportunities such as the Asheville Adventure Center trip bring those goals to life by giving students meaningful experiences that build communication, collaboration, confidence and other skills they can carry with them into the workplace.

At BCCI, career preparation is about more than learning a specific skill. It is about helping students discover their strengths, build connections and develop the confidence to take their next steps toward a successful future.