High school students in Corpus Christi are getting a closer look at careers in emergency communications through a hands-on dispatch training program designed to teach real-world skills.
Brandon Munoz, a senior at Miller High School, said the Metro program gave him a behind-the-scenes look at how dispatchers and call takers respond during emergencies.
“It’s honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done,” Munoz said. “It’s really cool to see how everything works behind the scenes.” Munoz said the program helped strengthen his communication skills and showed him potential career opportunities.
“This opened a lot of really good career paths for me,” he said. “It’s a really good backup option to have.” Students said the program also helped prepare them for real-life situations and working under pressure.
Victoria Castro, a senior at Mary Carroll High School, said the experience changed the way she sees herself and her future. “We learned fast pace. It takes a lot of multitasking to be in this job,” Castro said. “It opened my eyes and made me feel like I can do a lot more with my life.”
Castro said one of the biggest lessons she learned was how to communicate with people during stressful situations.
“You’re going to be answering people on their worst days,” Castro said. “We have to learn how to communicate with them even if they’re screaming at us.”
Students also met local law enforcement leaders and learned how different city departments work together during emergencies.
Both students said the program helped build confidence, professionalism and skills they plan to carry into college and future careers.