Career Exploration

Career Pathways                                       

Career Pathways are broad groupings of careers that share similar characteristics and whose employment requirements call for many common interests, strengths, and competencies. The desired outcomes of Career Preparation are student achievement and ultimate success in a career(s) of choice. Carlson uses Career Pathways for student Career Development Plans (CDP) (otherwise known as EDPs), Scheduling, Resumes, and Scholarship Portfolios.

Six Career Pathways have been identified to cover all career opportunities regardless of educational requirements:

Arts and Communications: careers related to the humanities and the performing, visual, literary, and media arts.

Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology: careers related to all aspects of business including accounting, business administration, finance, information processing and marketing.

Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology: careers related to technologies necessary to design, develop, install, or maintain physical systems.

Health Sciences: careers related to the promotion of health as well as the treatment of injuries, conditions, and disease.

Human Services: includes careers in child care, civil service, education, hospitality, and the social services.

Natural Resources and Agriscience: careers related to natural resources, agriculture, and the environment.

Personal aptitudes and interests are important factors as students begin to identify career opportunities. Career Pathways give flexible identity and structure to the student career choice process as well as to educational programs and services that contribute to the career preparation of students. Even though described as part of Career Development, the alignment provided through Career Pathways influences all Career Preparation components, including those at the high school and post high school levels.

Career Voyages

Career Voyages is a web site developed by the United States Department of Labor.  Career Voyages features detailed information about the fastest growing industries and occupations, the skills and education required to prepare for them, job openings by area, wages, licensing requirements, and growth rates for numberous occupations.

Career Voyages expands post-secondary oppurtunities to include on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs for skilled trages, and two-year professional degree programs at community colleges that lead to promising careers.