Suffolk BOCES Portfolio Case Study Sample

Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Eastern Suffolk BOCES In the 2018-19 school year. 96% of BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) seniors graduated.  Of the graduates, 52% pursued higher education, and 35% entered the workforce directly.  

Challenge 

Limited Hands-On Experience Before BOCES. “Before starting at BOCES, students felt like they were stuck learning theory without any real-world application. They wanted to understand how to apply different strategies in a professional setting. But most of the early education was too abstract.”

Lack of Career Direction – “Students weren’t sure where to focus their efforts. They knew they liked what they were studying, but they didn’t know how to translate that into a meaningful career. It felt like they were drifting without a clear path.”

Breaking into the Industry – “Even after graduating from universities like Stony Brook, CW POST, or NYIT. It was tough breaking into different careers. Most jobs required experience they didn’t have yet. That’s why the networking and project-based work they do at BOCES becomes so valuable. It gives students a portfolio and confidence to take that next step.”

Solution 

Students were tired of just sitting in lectures —They wanted to apply what they were learning in real-world scenarios. The BOCES program offered  them hands-on projects, media production work, and opportunities to collaborate with local organizations

They knew that breaking into any field in this world would be tough without a network. BOCES had strong relationships with local companies and firms, which meant they’d have access to internships and potential job opportunities.

The programs had a clear structure and job-focused curriculum. It wasn’t just about learning theory — it was about preparing for an actual career in the field

Results 

The admissions team is super helpful in guiding students through the process. From filling out the application to understanding the program requirements. The hardest part is overcoming their own doubts about whether they were making the right decision. But once they started the program, they knew they were in the right place

BOCES gives students the practical experience they are missing. The hands-on projects and networking opportunities help students build a portfolio and develop confidence in their skills. They also gain clarity about different career paths. It helps students focus on the skills needed and develop to concrete plan for breaking into the industry.

The biggest difference was the real-world experience. Other programs focus heavily on theory. But BOCES has students working on projects right from the start. BOCES also has guest speakers and internship opportunities. These help students see how things work in the actual field they are studying.