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.