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 prepares students with more specific training to prepare for careers. These paths include high school and postsecondary education. For uniformity, career pathways are set nationally to make it easier for parents, guardians and students to ready themselves for 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 that align to the national career clusters framework are the methods of delivery for all career and technical education programs.

What are the 79 career pathways?

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

• Agribusiness Systems

• Animal Systems

• Environmental Service Systems

• Food Products and Processing Systems

• Natural Resources Systems

• Plant Systems

• Power, Structural and Technical Systems

Architecture and Construction

• Construction

• Design/Preconstruction

• Maintenance Operations

Arts, A/V Technology and Communications

• Audio/Video Technology and Film

• Journalism and Broadcasting

• Performing Arts

• Printing Technology

• Telecommunications

• Visual Arts

• Visual Arts (Interior Design Sample)

Business Management and Administration

• Administrative Support

• Business Information Management

• General Management

• Human Resources Management

• Operations Management

Education and Training

• Administration and Administrative Support

• Professional Support Services

• Teaching and Training

Finance

• Accounting

• Banking Services

• Business Finance

• Insurance

• Securities and Investments

Government and Public Administration

• Foreign Service

• Governance

• National Security

• Planning

• Public Management and Administration

• Regulation

• Revenue and Taxation

Health Sciences

• Biotechnology Research and Development

• Diagnostic Services

• Health Informatics

• Support Services

• Therapeutic Services

Hospitality and Tourism

• Lodging

• Recreation, Amusements and Attractions

• Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services

• Travel and Tourism

Human Services

• Consumer Services

• Counseling and Mental Health Services

• Early Childhood Development and Services

• Family and Community Services

• Personal Care Services

Information Technology

• Information Support and Services

• Network Systems

• Programming and Software Development

• Web and Digital Communications

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security

• Correction Services

• Emergency and Fire Management Services

• Law Enforcement Services

• Legal Services

• Security and Protective Services

Manufacturing

• Health, Safety and Environmental Assurance

• Logistics Inventory Control

• Maintenance, Installation and Repair

• Manufacturing Production Process Development

• Production

• Quality Assurance

Marketing

• Marketing Communications

• Marketing Management

• Marketing Research

• Merchandising

• Professional Sales

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

• Engineering and Technology (Agriculture Sample)

• Engineering and Technology (Energy and Power Sample)

• Engineering and Technology (Engineering Sample)

• Engineering and Technology (Technology Sample)

• Science and Math

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

• Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance

• Health, Safety and Environmental Management

• Logistics Planning and Management Services

• Sales and Service

• Transportation Operations

• Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulation

• Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations

Energy

• Power Plant Operations

• Electrical Power Line Installation and Maintenance

• Renewable Energy Technician

• Energy Efficiency Auditor

• Petroleum Exploration and Production

• Natural Gas Pipeline Operations

• Substation Maintenance

• Energy Systems Design

• Energy Policy Analysis

• Energy Research and Development