Tri-County Regional Occupational Program Career Pathway Guide
Release Date: November 16, 2009
Preface
This Pathway Guide is the culmination of a group effort started by the Tri-County Regional Occupational Program nearly three years ago. The purpose of this document is three fold.
First, the Guide has been created to assist high school counselors to provide the type of Career Technical Education information students need to make more informed choices as they embark on career paths after high school. A chasm of information has existed for decades that we hope to close with the information provided in this guide. Graduation from high school should not be a fork in the road. Students should be prepared to tackle the demands of college and work depending on the career pathway they choose. Students should also have information needed to adjust to an ever changing economy and emerging labor markets. Students must have as much information possible to keep up with exponential change that is expected in technology and other careers in the next 25 years.
Second, the Guide can be used by district administrations to help determine how to best channel their resources to provide the most broad-based education possible to all students. This will help eliminate the stereotype that students are either college-bound or work- bound after high school when in fact students must be prepared for the challenge of either goal. The paths of college and work are not mutually exclusive but can actually compliment each other, resulting in the best career choices possible for each student. This will only happen when the integration of rigorous CTE and academics result in a program of study that prepares every student to be life long learners and competitive job seekers.
Finally, the Guide provides information to parents, community members, and policy makers to consider that a four year degree or beyond is not a guarantee of high paying employment. It is how post secondary education ensures the success of a student in its relevance to the career path chosen that is important. Many high paying jobs do not require a four year college degree. Students should choose realistic pathways relevant to their interests and financial priorities regardless of the amount of education and training required. In that way training and post secondary education will best serve the career goals of students and unrealistic and harmful career stereotypes will be replaced by education policy that truly reflects the best interests of students. Our State and Nation’s ability to compete in a global economy will depend on adopting this shift in educational policy.
We are hopeful this guide is a step in the right direction that reflects this importance of programs of study that meet the needs of every student. Education should not be driven by unrealistic beliefs but on information that is a true reflection of the economic world we live in.
Randy Page, Director
Preface
This Pathway Guide is the culmination of a group effort started by the Tri-County Regional Occupational Program nearly three years ago. The purpose of this document is three fold.
First, the Guide has been created to assist high school counselors to provide the type of Career Technical Education information students need to make more informed choices as they embark on career paths after high school. A chasm of information has existed for decades that we hope to close with the information provided in this guide. Graduation from high school should not be a fork in the road. Students should be prepared to tackle the demands of college and work depending on the career pathway they choose. Students should also have information needed to adjust to an ever changing economy and emerging labor markets. Students must have as much information possible to keep up with exponential change that is expected in technology and other careers in the next 25 years.
Second, the Guide can be used by district administrations to help determine how to best channel their resources to provide the most broad-based education possible to all students. This will help eliminate the stereotype that students are either college-bound or work- bound after high school when in fact students must be prepared for the challenge of either goal. The paths of college and work are not mutually exclusive but can actually compliment each other, resulting in the best career choices possible for each student. This will only happen when the integration of rigorous CTE and academics result in a program of study that prepares every student to be life long learners and competitive job seekers.
Finally, the Guide provides information to parents, community members, and policy makers to consider that a four year degree or beyond is not a guarantee of high paying employment. It is how post secondary education ensures the success of a student in its relevance to the career path chosen that is important. Many high paying jobs do not require a four year college degree. Students should choose realistic pathways relevant to their interests and financial priorities regardless of the amount of education and training required. In that way training and post secondary education will best serve the career goals of students and unrealistic and harmful career stereotypes will be replaced by education policy that truly reflects the best interests of students. Our State and Nation’s ability to compete in a global economy will depend on adopting this shift in educational policy.
We are hopeful this guide is a step in the right direction that reflects this importance of programs of study that meet the needs of every student. Education should not be driven by unrealistic beliefs but on information that is a true reflection of the economic world we live in.
Randy Page, Director
Please click on the links below to view our career pathway guide and course flyers. If you have any questions please contact us.
