What is a career pathway?
If a career cluster is a grouping of careers and broad industry skills a career pathway is a branching path that will prepare students with more specific training to ready them for their careers while in high school or from post-secondary education. The Career Pathways are set on a national level to have a uniform list to make it easier for parents and students to ready themselves for the essential careers of today and tomorrow.
The links under each career pathway are sample Plans of Study from the Virginia Department of Education. The sample Plans of Study aligned to the National Career Clusters framework is the method of delivery for all CTE (Career and Technical Education).
What are the 79 career pathways?
1. Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Agribusiness Systems
- Animal Systems
- Environmental Service Systems
- Food Products & Processing Systems
- Natural Resources Systems
- Plant Systems
- Power, Structural & Technical Systems
2. Architecture & Construction
- Construction
- Design / Pre-Construction
- Maintenance Operations
3. Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Audio / Video Technology and Film
- Journalism & Broadcasting
- Performing Arts
- Printing Technology
- Telecommunications
- Visual Arts
- Visual Arts (Interior Design Sample)
4. Business Management & Administration
- Administrative Support
- Business Information Management
- General Management
- Human Resources Management
- Operations Management
5. Education & Training
- Administration & Administrative Support
- Professional Support Services
- Teaching and Training
6. Finance
- Accounting
- Banking Services
- Business Finance
- Insurance
- Securities & Investments
7. Government & Public Administration
- Foreign Service
- Governance
- National Security
- Planning
- Public Management & Administration
- Regulation
- Revenue & Taxation
8. Health Sciences
- Biotechnology Research & Development
- Diagnostic Services
- Health Informatics
- Support Services
- Therapeutic Services
9. Hospitality & Tourism
- Lodging
- Recreation, Amusements & Attractions
- Restaurants and Food / Beverage Services
- Travel & Tourism
10. Human Services
- Consumer Services
- Counseling & Mental Health Services
- Early Childhood Development & Services
- Family & Community Services
- Personal Care Services
11. Information Technology
- Information Support & Services
- Network Systems
- Programming & Software Development
- Web & Digital Communications
12. Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
- Correction Services
- Emergency & Fire Management Services
- Law Enforcement Services
- Legal Services
- Security & Protective Services
13. Manufacturing
- Health, Safety & Environmental Assurance
- Logistics Inventory Control
- Maintenance, Installation & Repair
- Manufacturing Production Process Development
- Production
- Quality Assurance
14. Marketing
- Marketing Communications
- Marketing Management
- Marketing Research
- Merchandising
- Professional Sales
15. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Engineering & Technology (Agriculture Sample)
- Engineering & Technology (Energy and Power Sample)
- Engineering & Technology (Engineering Sample)
- Engineering & Technology (Technology Sample)
- Science & Math
16. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
- Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance
- Health, Safety & Environmental Management
- Logistics Planning and Management Services
- Sales & Service
- Transportation Operations
- Transportation Systems / Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation
- Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations
17. Energy