What Is the Difference Between Education & Career Pathways?

Career pathways and education go together in today's high schools.

With more career options than ever before, career pathways help high school students not only meet their graduation requirements but also prepare for the work force. Coupled with a logical sequence of academic and vocational courses, career pathways provide connections to the "real world," making school seem more relevant to today's teenagers.

History

A four-party coalition developed 16 career clusters.

The idea of career pathways began in 1996 with the creation of 16 career clusters, developed through collaboration between the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, the National School To Work Office and the National Skills Standards Board. According to The Work Suite website, "the purpose of the initiative was to establish linkages among state educational agencies, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, employers, industry groups, other stakeholders and federal agencies."

Further Development

Following the development of the 16 career clusters, their four co-creators established 78 career pathways to help students prepare for careers in the cluster areas. For example, a student interested in a medical career would be channeled into more scientific and mathematics class electives in addition to the usually required core classes. While each state has interpreted these pathways in slightly different ways, all have used them to let students explore the variety of jobs available in any cluster, providing the necessary classes to begin the students' transition into postsecondary education and training for the work force.

Individual School Programs

Three Kansas high schools have developed commercial construction technology programs.

While many high schools have simply added academic classes to help with the career pathways and have included more options for job shadows and internships, others have brought in people working in a variety of areas to either advise or actually teach the classes. In Kansas, for example, three high schools offer construction technology programs. At Perry-Lecompton High School in Perry, Kansas, local contractors teach classes in site preparation, drywall, and air conditioning and heating, among other commercial construction topics. Many students completing this program have continued on to earn college degrees in engineering fields, while others have acquired construction jobs immediately after graduation.

Adult Applications

Adult career pathway programs help those who have lost jobs or want to change careers.

While most of the career pathway programs have high school students in mind, newer programs help adults who have lost their jobs or want to change careers. Most of these adult-oriented programs include academic classes as well as career exploration options and on-the-job training.

A Further Advantage

Career pathway programs motivate students to learn.

Career pathway education does more than let students explore careers and begin preparing for them. By blending traditional academic subjects with real-world experiences, it motivates students to perform better in school overall.

References

• Eden Area Regional Occupational Program
• The Works Suite
• Cord: Leading Change in Education

Resources

• World Wide Learn