American Student Achievement Institute

Career Pathways

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   Career Pathways Resources

             Career Pathways Introduction - Power Point

                      Includes a step-by-step process for schools to

                      use while developing their career pathways initiative.

             Indiana Career Pathways Guide

                      Download - Indiana Department of Education

   Indiana Schools That Are Implementing

       Career Pathways and are Willing to Answer Questions

             Pike High School, Indianapolis

                     Stan Hall

Career pathways begin in elementary school where students begin to explore their personal interests, the world of work, and educational opportunities following high school in a general sense. 

In middle school, students begin to narrow down their interest areas as they learn more about themselves and further explore various career and educational opportunities.  This is accomplished through a variety of exploration activities both in school and at the worksite.  In eighth grade, students select a career area (not a specific occupation) which they would like to further explore.  Some schools call this a career major.  When developing their high school course plan, students include courses that would help them further explore this career interest area.

In high school students continue to explore their area of interest through courses and work-site experiences related to their interest area. 

As students further explore their area of interest, many students will discover that they are no longer interested that area.  This is one of the purposes of career pathways - to help students discover the areas that do not interest them.  If this occurs, students simply develop a new career pathway based on a new interest area.  In this way, all career pathways are flexible and designed to change as students learn more about themselves and the world around them.

While exploring their area of interest, some students will determine that a specific occupation is "right" for them.  These students may choose to begin developing skills related to that occupation by enrolling in vocational courses.  For example, students interested in engineering might enroll in a vocational drafting program (in addition to a rigorous academic program).

During the junior year, students develop a transition plan that specifies the activities in which the students will participate in order to make a smooth transition to whatever comes after high school.  This includes plans for college campus visits, job internships, applications for work or further education, admissions testing, financial planning, and financial aid, and the development of a resume, portfolio or senior project, and interviewing skills.