Many career paths start with taking Career Technical Education (CTE) classes in high school and community college. These courses build upon one another and can prepare you for employment in rewarding careers that interest you. Get the course work and the problem solving, technical, occupational and employability skills you need to help you become who you want to be.
Not sure which career is right for you? Take this quick and easy quiz and learn which careers match well with your personality and interests. This isn't a complicated, scientific thing. It's just meant to be fun and help give you something to think about. Come play along and see what happens!
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Bounce your way to success! Play the Pathfinders game and see if you can guide your character high into the sky, earning points and answering trivia along the way. Play alone, or get your friends in on the action and create a team.
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- Agriculture and Natural Resources Industry
- Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry
- Building Trades and Construction Industry
- Education, Child Development, and Family Services Industry
- Energy and Utilities Industry
- Engineering and Design Industry
- Fashion and Interior Design Industry
- Finance and Business Industry
- Health Science and Medical Technology Industry
- Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation Industry
- Information Technology Industry
- Manufacturing and Product Development Industry
- Marketing, Sales, and Service Industry
- Public Services Industry
- Transportation Industry
Agriculture and Natural Resources Industry
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Are you really into the outdoors? Does a career developing farmland or protecting forests sound like something that could grow on you? If so, the Agricultural and Natural Resources career pathway might be the right one for you.
Follow this path and you can choose your specific area of study from a lot of different branches. If you're into large-scale farming, you can specialize in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience or Animal Science. If you like dealing with plants on a smaller scale, there's Ornamental Horticulture and Plant and Soil Science. Finally, if the great outdoors sounds great to you, look into Forestry and Natural Resources.
In addition to class work, your studies will include lots of real-world agricultural and environmental experience. You'll also learn the interpersonal and leadership skills you'll need to continue your training or start your career.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Agriculture Production
- Agri-business
- Ornamental Horticulture & Landscaping
- Agriculture Mechanics
- Power & Engineering
- Forestry
- Natural Resources
- Rural Recreation
Arts, Media, and Entertainment Industry
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Who has a cooler job, the actor or the director? The broadcaster or the columnist? The musician or the recording engineer? It's hard to decide, since all these jobs are great…and they're just a few of the many amazing careers you can find in Arts, Media and Entertainment, a pathway for anyone who loves the energy of creativity and the excitement of performance.
The Arts, Media and Entertainment pathway actually splits into three different scenes, each leading to an incredible variety of careers: Media and Design Arts (artists, broadcasters, journalists), Performing Arts (actors, dancers, musicians) and Production and Managerial Arts (producers, managers, engineers).
Choose this path and you'll challenge both your creative and your technical side. You'll study classic art forms one minute, then work with cutting-edge technology the next. You'll sharpen intangible skills like flexibility, problem-solving and interpersonal communication. And you'll gain invaluable experience in teamwork, decision-making and creative thinking—skills you'll need to thrive in today's media-rich environment.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Visual & Performing Arts
- Electronic and Multi-media Production
- Film, Television & Radio
- Printed Publications
- Professional Sports
Building Trades and Construction Industry
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Give some people enough wood, metal and time, and they can build just about anything. If you're one of those people, you might want to think about a future in Building Trades and Construction, a dynamic career pathway that will allow you to literally create the world around you.
There are four different detours on this path: Cabinetmaking and Wood Products for those with a passion for handcrafted precision; Residential and Commercial Construction for people who dream of creating a city skyline; Engineering and Heavy Construction to build the massive infrastructure that connects and supports our world; and Mechanical Construction to create the machines that will build our future.
On this pathway you'll get intense academic and technical training that focuses on construction processes, systems, and building methods. You'll also get hands-on experience through internships, work experience and apprenticeships. It's the perfect path to help you build a solid future for your community...and yourself!
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Commercial & Institutional Construction and Structures
- Heavy Construction
- Building Materials Distribution
- Residential Construction
Education, Child Development, and Family Services Industry
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Remember the best teachers you ever had? Chances are you remember more than just their names, you remember the lessons they taught, the jokes they told, and the way they made you feel unique and important. If you want to pass that feeling on to other people and become a supportive mentor for children and their families, there's no better career pathway for you to follow than Education, Child Development and Family Services.
On this pathway you'll have the chance to specialize in one of four different courses of study. Education is designed for future teachers. Child Development will give you the background you need to work in child care and related fields. Consumer Services will point you toward a career helping consumers make smart financial decisions. And Family and Human Services is for you if you're interested in supporting families and individuals through social services.
Pursuing a career in Education, Child Development and Family Services is smart - teachers and other professionals in this field are in high demand in California - but it's also satisfying, because you have a chance to make a positive difference in people's lives. What more could you ask for in a career?
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Preschool Education
- Teaching in elementary or high schools
- Teaching at colleges or universities
- Trade & Technical Education & Training
- Child & Youth Services
- Educational Support Services
Energy and Utilities Industry
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It's no big shock to hear that energy is one of the most important issues in the world today. People are obsessed with energy...how to make it more available, how to make it less expensive, how to use it more efficiently, and how to use it without hurting the environment. If these are the issues that get you charged up, it's time to think about a career on the Energy and Utilities pathway.
There are four circuits to this pathway: Electromechanical Installation and Maintenance, Energy and Environmental Technology, Public Utilities, and Residential and Commercial Energy and Utilities. These four options lead to hundreds of exciting careers - everything from installing the wiring in a new high-rise to maintaining the electrical grid for the entire state.
Students in Energy and Utilities will get in-depth classroom training, along with the hands-on experience you can't get from a textbook. Through intensive lab work and internships, plus a focus on leadership development and continued training, this pathway will keep you on the cutting edge of energy technology and provide you with great career options.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Petroleum Industry
- Alternative Energy
- Power Industry
- Utility Industry
Engineering and Design Industry
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If you have a knack for numbers and a desire to build amazing things, there's no better career pathway for you than Engineering and Design. Whether you want to help design computer chips that make machines run faster or help create water treatment plants that slow down pollution, this pathway can lead you to a dream career.
You'll have a choice of five different programs on this pathway: Architectural and Structural Engineering; Computer Hardware, Electrical and Network Engineering; Engineering Design; Engineering Technology; and Environmental and Natural Science Engineering. No matter which you choose, you'll get the technical education and the hands-on experience you'll need to help create the world of tomorrow.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Engineering Analysis
- Electrical Engineering
- Architecture
- Computer Engineering
Fashion and Interior Design Industry
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If you've ever watched an episode of "Project Runway" or "Design Star" and thought, "I could win on that show," you may find a fulfilling career down the Fashion and Interior Design pathway. For people with a great sense of style and a strong creative drive, this pathway can take you to amazing places.
If you dream about designing clothing or starting your own fashion line, you may want to check out Fashion Design, Manufacturing and Merchandising to see if it suits your style. On the other hand, if you see yourself designing stunning living spaces, Interior Design, Furnishings and Maintenance may be where you can see yourself. Studies in either will give you the knowledge and the experience you'll need to land an entry-level job in the designing industry...or to continue your education and upgrade your skills. No matter which path you choose, you could be designing a great career for yourself.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Apparel Design & Manufacturing
- Commercial Interior Design & Furnishings
- Residential Design & Furnishings
- Textile Design & Manufacturing
- Textile Care & Maintenance
Finance and Business Industry
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There are a lot of different kinds of businesses out there, but they all have one thing in common: they need to know how much money is going in and out of their company. If you've always been comfortable with numbers and you want to be part of an industry with many new, exciting opportunities, you could be just what these businesses are looking for - which is why you should check out the Finance and Industry pathway.
When you take this pathway, you'll start out learning basic accounting principles. From there, you'll branch out into different specialties like computer applications, taxes, investments or asset management. You can even go into the hot new field of forensic accounting, where you'll use your skills to track down white-collar criminals.
Whichever branch you choose, you'll learn much more than number-crunching. You'll learn ethics, communication and team-building skills that will help you score a great career in one of the hottest fields around. Any way you add it up, Finance and Industry is a great pathway to follow.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Financial Services
- Real Estate Services
- Business Management
Health Science and Medical Technology Industry
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More Americans are living longer now than ever before. And a huge chunk of those Americans, the so-called "Baby Boomers", will need lots of medical services over the next few decades. That means the demand for health care professionals is strong...and getting stronger every day. If you're the kind of person who enjoys caring for other people, now is the perfect time to check out the Health Science and Medical Technology career pathway.
This pathway can lead you to many different specialties, including Nursing, Biotechnology Research and Development, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics (using cutting-edge technology to store and retrieve medical data), Support Services, and Physical Therapy.
No matter which branch you take, you'll get the academic and technical education you need for a wide range of medical careers, from entry-level to managerial. You'll also get the satisfaction that comes from helping other people, and you'll be a part of one of the most in-demand fields around. Health Science and Medical Technology is a great pathway to choose!
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Dental Care
- Medical Care
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology
- Preventative Practices and Fitness
Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation Industry
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Who says you can't combine work and play? That's what professionals on the Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation career pathway do every day. If you like the idea of mixing business and pleasure, you can follow this path to a rewarding career where you'll literally create excitement for a living.
The Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation pathway leads to three different journeys. For people interested in the healthy side of eating, there's Food Science, Dietetics and Nutrition; for those who'd rather focus on the fun side of food, there's Food Service and Hospitality; and for people who want to help folks enjoy their holiday, there's Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation.
Studies on this pathway will focus on technical knowledge, combined with hands-on and work-based instruction designed to let you jump right into the work force...or continue your education if that's what you want. Either way, this pathway can lead you to a career where every day seems like a vacation.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Recreation and Special Events
- Food Services
- Lodging Services
- Travel & Related Services
- Recreational Sports
Information Technology Industry
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Are you comfortable around computers? If so, you've got a huge career advantage. Computers are everywhere in our professional and personal lives, and people who can help those computers communicate with us- and with each other- are in high demand. If you want to know computers inside and out, the Information Technology Industry career pathway might be perfect for you.
You'll get a strong base of skills on this pathway as you learn to evaluate data, work with people and communicate clearly. This knowledge will be the foundation on which you can build several different amazing careers in the information technology industry. With the increased use of computers in our everyday lives, there aren't many other career paths that offer as much fantastic opportunity as the Information Technology Industry path.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Management Information Systems
- Data Processing
- Telecommunications
Manufacturing and Product Development Industry
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Let's say you love using tools to create. So, what's your favorite tool? A welder? An airbrush? A computer? No matter which one gets you fired up, you can turn your skill and creativity into a great career by following the Manufacturing and Product Development pathway.
Once you've learned the core knowledge and skills on this pathway, you'll have the chance to follow one of four different branches: Machine Tools, Welding, Graphic Communications and Graphic Design. These specialized courses of study will give you the additional skills and real-world experience you need to create everything from incredibly complex machines to eye-popping full-page magazine ads. On this path, you can truly create an amazing career for yourself.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Printing and Publishing
- Consumer Product Manufacturing
- Machine Tool Manufacturing
- Computer & Electronics Products
- Transportation Manufacturing
- Equipment Manufacturing
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Industrial Materials Manufacturing
Marketing, Sales, and Service Industry
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Selling is a lot different than it used to be. Thanks to improved transportation, better communication and the spread of the internet, companies can now sell anything to anyone, anywhere in the world—and they'll need skilled salespeople and marketers to get the job done. Think you're one of those people? Then you should think about following the Marketing, Sales and Service career pathway.
Take any one of the four branches of this pathway—E-commerce, Entrepreneurship, International Trade or Professional Sales and Marketing—and you'll learn much more than the basics. You’ll learn technology. You'll learn ethics and social responsibility. You'll learn communication, marketing and promotion skills. And you'll learn how to apply those skills on the job...or use them to further your education. Marketing, Sales and Service is a career pathway that can open the world to you.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Retail Sales
- Distribution and Service
- Wholesale Sales
- Business Management
- International Trade
Public Services Industry
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Some jobs call for special people—people who put others before themselves, who don't hide from tough challenges, who spend their careers protecting and serving their community. If you're that kind of person, you may find the career of your dreams on the Public Services Industry pathway.
There are a huge number of careers along this pathway, but they all start with three different branches: Human Services, Legal and Government Services and Protective Services. Follow any of these branches and you'll learn the facts and skills that will give your career a solid foundation. You'll also get internship and work experience that will give you a hands-on opportunity to serve the public.
Whether your passion is social work or police work...whether you dream of fighting fires or fighting injustice…no matter what way you want to serve your community, you can find a great career in the public services industry.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- State and Local Government
- Justice
- Public Order & Safety
- National Security & International Affairs
- Religious and Civic Organizations
- Social Services
Transportation Industry
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Getting a vehicle from point A to point B isn't as simple as it looks on any given day, someone's got to run that vehicle, maintain it, or repair it. Fortunately, some people seem to have a knack for making vehicles run smoothly. If you're one of those people, you should steer your way down the Transportation Industry career path.
You'll find three branches on this pathway: Aviation and Aerospace Transportation Services, Collision Repair and Refinishing, and Vehicle Maintenance, Service and Repair. Pick any of these branches and you'll learn transportation vehicles inside and out. Your classroom work, lab work and hands-on experience can give you expertise with a wide variety of vehicles, from scooters to 767s.
When you think about the importance of moving people and products, it's easy to see why professionals in the transportation industry are so valued. Choose this career path and you'll be putting your talents and passion toward a great future...both for yourself and for your community.
This pathway can lead to careers in:
- Air Transportation
- Land Transportation
- Water Transportation
| Careers in Demand | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Construction Manager | $42.25 |
| Licensed Vocational Nurse | $21.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $46.92 |
| Industrial Engineering Technician | $26.98 |
| Legal Secretary | $23.54 |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic | $18.44 |



