The benefit of a Career Pathway is that a student may select a pathway based on his/her interests and abilities rather than a single career.  Each pathway includes a variety of careers that require many different levels of education.  A student may change his/her career pathway throughout high school as he/she matures, as he/she acquires new interests, and as he/she has new life experiences.

In order to choose a pathway initially, an individual needs to identify his/her interests, abilities, and talents.  Then talk to the school counselor, teachers, administrators, parents, and responsible adults about interests and how they relate to possible careers.

The University of Missouri-Columbia has adopted from a model developed by the state of Oregon six career pathways:  Arts and Communications; Business, Management; and Technology; Health Services; Human Services, Industrial and Engineering Technology; and Natural Resources/Agriculture.

Which Career pathway is right for me?

Arts and Communications - If you are a good communicator, or if you are creative and innovative, this might be the career pathway for you.  Occupations include the areas of architecture, interior design, creative writing, fashion design, film, fine arts, graphic design and production, journalism, languages, radio, television, advertising, and public relations.

Business, Management, and Technology - If you are interested in the business world this could be your career pathway.  Occupations in this pathway include:  entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, computer/information systems, finance, accounting, personnel, economics, and management.

Health Services - If you are interested in maintaining good health and helping others to maintain good health this might be your pathway.  This pathway encompasses research, prevention, treatment, and technology as it relates to good health.

Human Services - If you are friendly, outgoing, and understanding, this might be the career path for you.  Occupations in this area may include:  education, government, law and law enforcement, leisure and recreation, delivery, military, religion, child care, social services, and personal services.

Industrial and Engineering Technology - If you like to build, make or fix things, this is the pathway for you.  Engineering, manufacturing, construction, service, and related technologies make up this pathway.

Natural Resources/Agriculture - If you like the great outdoors, maybe this is your pathway.  Occupations may include agricultural sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences, fisheries, forestry, horticulture, and wildlife.

After choosing a career path, the students should try to decide on a career goal and determine how much post secondary education will be necessary.  Once that decision is made, a student may begin to plan classes that will help him/her to achieve the career goal.

Students and parents may view class requirements and electives offered at Willow Springs High School that would apply to their chosen career path and post secondary education.