>> Career Resources For Students

CAREER AREAS

Most careers fall into one of several career areas or families. Economic experts suggest that careers in the 21st century will center around 16 career areas:

1. Agriculture and Natural Resources
2. Architecture and Construction
3. Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communication Services
4. Business and Administration
5. Education and Training
6. Finance
7. Government and Public Administration
8. Health Science
9. Hospitality and Tourism
10. Human Services
11. Information Technology
12. Law and Public Safety
13. Manufacturing
14. Retail/Wholesale Sales and Service
15. Scientific Research and Engineering
16. Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Students’ choices in high school include studies and experiences in a career area associated with one of the career families.

CAREER PATHWAYS blend high-level academic and technical courses that are articulated and/or dual-enrolled with courses at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. This enables high school students to earn college credits while still in high school and enables them to make a smooth transition, free of duplication, to selected Associate Degree programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and other community colleges in Virginia after they graduate from high school.

For specific information about the career areas in your school division, see your school counselor. Through career programs, you will learn about yourself and the world of work and make decisions that will influence your future. Career counseling is a link between education and work and provides direction in assisting students to meet the challenges of a changing world.

A strong academic core of courses in English/communications, mathematics, science, and social studies are required of all students, regardless of career choice. Middle school and high school year courses will have a high level of rigor and relevance for all students. In your junior and senior year, some courses will be more career related if and when a area is selected. These courses may be selected to help integrate career plans into the process of selecting courses and identifying sequences which will contribute to those plans. Certain courses have been identified as being particularly helpful in certain career areas. For instance, if you are pursuing a career as a chef, French would be a useful foreign language selection. An individual in a medical career might take Latin while an individual with a career interest in business might find Spanish to be a more valuable language.


WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND IN AFTER I SELECT AN AREA?

This plan is about expanded choice, not limitations. We know that many students and adults change their minds as time and experiences are expanded. This program merely helps you set education and career goals and develop ways to achieve them. At no time are you locked into any decision. You are always encouraged to keep your options open. As a result of the high level of rigor in all courses, you will be well prepared for any future choice even if your interests and goals should change. There are a number of concentrations within each career area. Movement between areas is possible. Of course, decisions made in the later years of high school could result in the need to take additional course work in the future. But, for the most part, you are free to move into whatever area is of most interest to you.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
>> Career Resources For Students