POWER SKILLS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP In addition to technical expertise, Essex Tech places strong emphasis on what it calls “power skills,” a reframing of the traditional term “soft skills.” Communication, collaboration, adaptability, selfadvocacy, grit, and professionalism are treated as essential competencies rather than secondary traits. These skills are reinforced across all pathways, particularly through project-based learning and entrepreneurship-focused coursework. Students are encouraged to see how multiple disciplines intersect, instructional use. Students in computer science and technology pathways now engage with AI concepts through courses such as ethical hacking and artificial intelligence, learning not only how the tools work, but how they should be used responsibly. Leadership views AI not as a threat, but as an inevitable force that students must understand to remain competitive. By embedding ethical considerations and practical applications into the curriculum, Essex Tech is preparing students for careers that may not yet exist. 276 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02
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