Department of Defense Education Activity

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 Career Explorer

What Are Career Clusters and Pathways?

Career Clusters represent major groupings of similar occupations and industries within the U.S. job market. Each Career Cluster provides students with an overview of career options and an understanding of the broad industry. Within each of the Career Clusters are various Career Pathways, which are sequences of CTE courses designed to prepare students for careers and continued education.

Learn more about Career Clusters and Pathways in DoDEA's Education and Career Planning Guide - Career Explorer.

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CAREER CLUSTERS AND PATHWAYS OFFERED IN DODEA SCHOOLS

Business Management

Business Management

The Business Management Pathway introduces students to laws and regulations affecting business operations and transactions; teaching them how to plan, monitor, and manage day-to-day business activities and create strategic plans used to manage business growth, profit, and goals.
Culinary Art

Culinary Art

Students in the Culinary Arts Pathway are exposed to a variety of cooking methods and techniques from basic to advanced cooking skills; catering; nutrition; menus and facility planning; cold food preparation; and food service management.
Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity

In the Cybersecurity Pathway, students learn how to plan, monitor, implement, and upgrade security measures for the protection of computer networks, and more.
Digital Design & Communication

Digital Design & Communication

In the Digital Design & Communication Pathway, students learn to create, design, and produce a vast array of interactive multimedia products and services to be used in business, training, entertainment, communications, and marketing.
Engineering and Technology

Engineering and Technology

The Engineering and Technology Pathway combines hands-on projects with rigorous curriculum to prepare students for the most challenging careers in engineering and technology.
National Security (Air Force)

National Security (Air Force)

The National Security Pathway (Air Force) introduces students to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC is a program that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity.
National Security (Army)

National Security (Army)

The National Security Pathway (Army) introduces students to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC is a program that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity.
National Security (Marines)

National Security (Marines)

The National Security Pathway (Marines) introduces students to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC is a program that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity.
National Security (Navy)

National Security (Navy)

The National Security Pathway (Navy) introduces students to the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). JROTC is a program that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity.
Programming

Programming

In the Programming Pathway, students gain advanced knowledge of computer operating systems, programming languages, and software development necessary to design, develop, implement, and maintain computer systems and software.
Teaching as a Profession

Teaching as a Profession

The Teaching as a Profession Pathway prepares students to use subject matter knowledge to plan and prepare effective instruction and courses, and identify materials and resources needed to support instructional plans. Students learn to apply knowledge and skills in real-world situations.
Therapeutic Services–Patient Care

Therapeutic Services–Patient Care

The Therapeutic Services–Patient Care Pathway teaches health and safety policies; how to utilize emergency procedures and protocols; and are introduced to cultural, social, and ethnic diversity as it applies to health care delivery.
Video Communications

Video Communications

Through a hands-on, project-oriented approach, students in the Video Communications Pathway apply knowledge to filming, editing and production, lighting, audio, computer graphics and effects to communicate effectively using the video communication medium.