TABLE3: Career-Ready with AI: Immersive Simulations for CTE Pathways

Preparing students for life after graduation means giving them authentic, hands-on experiences that mirror the real world. This session explores how AI-powered simulations can strengthen Career and Technical Education by immersing students in workplace scenarios—from mock interviews and customer service conversations to medical triage and team-based problem-solving. Through interactive 3D environments and AI Learning Companions, students practice job-ready skills while receiving real-time, personalized feedback. We’ll share examples from schools using AI simulations to bring CTE pathways to life across fields like healthcare, business, and skilled trades. Attendees will explore how to align these simulations with career readiness standards, foster the development of essential soft skills, and extend work-based learning opportunities when in-person placements are limited. Whether you're building new CTE programs or enhancing existing ones, this session offers a practical roadmap for leveraging AI to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow’s workforce—equipping them with the confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills they need to thrive.