Career Pathways

Definition: Broad groupings of careers that share similar characteristics and whose employment requirements call for many common interests, strengths, and competencies.

Goal: To align the curriculum with the interests and aptitudes of the individual student. Two main purposes: Plan and Focus

Benchmarks:

• The local board of education has adopted the six Career Pathways

• All school buildings within the district utilize the Career Pathways concept as evidenced by their curriculum plans/guides.

• All students will have opportunities to learn about careers within all pathways as evidenced by curriculum plans/guides.

• Ensures that the Career Pathways are used as a framework for:

1. organizing career contextual teaching/learning experiences as evidenced in curriculum plans
2. providing systematic career planning and preparation as evidenced by Career Pathways use in counseling and guidance, EEDPs, career awareness/exploration activities and work-based learning
3. align high school courses into pathways to reflect which courses are needed for preparing for careers as evidenced in documents such as student handbooks and course selection guides

Career Pathway levels:

Elementary level - Career Awareness Examples: - Junior Achievement - Career Awareness Packets - Field Trips                                      - Non Traditional

Middle School level - Career Exploration Examples: - On Location - Use of MOIS, Bridges - ACT Explore - Career Scope - Career units within curriculum - EEDPs

 

 

Arts and Communication

If you are interested in a career in visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, design or media this could be a great career pathway for you.

Some career areas in the Arts & Communication Pathway:

            Advertising                                           Actor/Actress

            Artist                                                    Graphic Designer

            Illustrator                                              Interior Designer

            Journalist                                              Musician

            Public relations                                     Architecture

 

Some courses that apply to the Arts & Communication Pathway are: Drama, Music, Art, Pottery, Journalism, Graphic Arts and Architectural Design.

National Career Clusters that match the Arts & Communication Pathway are: Architecture & Construction and Arts, A/V Technology & Communications.

 

Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology

If you are interested in a career that relates to any aspect of business including accounting, management, administration, finance, information processing, computer information, marketing or entrepreneurship, this could be the best pathway for you. 

Some career areas in the Business, Management, Marketing & Technology Pathway:

            Accounting                                           Computer Systems

            Advertising                                           Office Administration

            Marketing                                             Entrepreneurship

            Hospitality/Tourism                               Management

            Sales                                                    Finance

Some courses that apply to Business, Management, Marketing & Technology are: Accounting, Business Software Applications, Digital Design, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Computer Science.

National Career Clusters that match the Business, Management, Marketing & Technology Pathway are: Business, Management & Administration, Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, and Marketing, Sales & Service.

 

Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology

If you are mechanically inclined, interested in the automotive, electrical, or wood industries, or want to learn more about engineering, manufacturing or industry, this is a good pathway for you to investigate.

Some careers in the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technology Pathway:

            Architect                               Electrician

            Engineer (mechanical, chemical, electrical, nuclear, automotive, etc)

            Automotive Technician          Computer Engineer/Programmer          

            Network Administrator          Welder

            Woodworker                         Service Technician

Some courses that apply to the Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Pathway are: Computer Aided Design, Electronics, Precision Production Technology, Automotive Technology, Welding, Woodworking, Construction Trades, Computer Programming, Math, Physics and Robotics.

National Career Clusters that match the Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Pathway are: Architecture & Construction, Manufacturing, Science, Technology Engineering & Mathematics, and Transportation Distribution & Logistics.

 

Health Science

If you are interested in any type of career that is related to caring for people when they are sick or helping to keep them well, this is a good pathway for you.

Some careers in the Health Science Pathway:

            Physical/Occupational Therapist      Nurse

            Radiologist                                      Physician

            Dentist                                            Nutritionist

            Pharmacist                                      Emergency Medical Technician

            Pharmacy Technician                       Psychologist

Some courses that apply to the Health Science Pathway are: Biology, Chemistry, Allied Health, Psychology/Sociology, Health Care Systems, Medical Terminology and Math.

National Career Clusters that match the Health Science Pathway are: Health Science and Science, Technology, Sales & Service.

 

Human Services

If you are interested in a career where you work with people to help meet their needs, the Human Services Pathway might be a good fit for you.

Some careers in the Human Service Pathway:

            Social Worker                                      All Careers in Education

            Law enforcement                                  Child Care Provider

            Any government position                       Lawyer

            Early Childhood Education                    Military Careers

            Service providers such as cosmetologists, chefs, etc.

Some courses that apply to the Human Service Pathway are: Criminology, Psychology/Sociology, Political Science, Child care, Teacher Cadet, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts and Human Development.

National Career Clusters that match the Human Services Pathway are: Education & Training, Government & Public Administration, Human Services, and Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security.

 

Agriscience and Natural Resources

If you are interested in a career related to food, plants, animals, nature, landscaping, the environment or agriculture this might be the right pathway for you.

Some careers in Agriscience and Natural Resources

            Forestry                                   Landscaper or Landscape Designer

            Naturalist                                 Conservation Officer

            Food Scientist/researcher         Fisheries

            Wildlife or Zoo Technician        Any aspect of Agriculture

Some courses that apply to the Agriscience and Natural Resources Pathway are: Biology, Animal Science, Plant Science, Pre-Vet, Landscape Design and Development, Horticulture and Botany.

National Career Clusters that match the Agriscience and Natural Resources Pathway are: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources.