By: Matt Wunderlin

Career pathways or vocational education programs are utilized in schools to help guide students towards a career path and assist them in their decision to continue their education or provide skills and knowledge that will allow them to succeed in the industry of their choosing post-graduation. Robert B. Schwartz defines the career pathway movement “offers a promising route to upward mobility for those young people not well served by our current education system.” High school education operates as a college preparation tool, which isolates students that have no desire to attend an institution of higher education. Corrine Alfeld and Sharika Bhattacharya studied the structure of a school that implements programs of study (an alternate term for career pathways) and found that 70% of students surveyed “planned to enroll in postsecondary education (at least technical school) after high school, with 30% planning to enroll in a 4-year college.” Stephen Sawchuck found similar results from Wheeling High School, where 90% of students pursued postsecondary education. Career pathways are designed to captivate a student’s interest, guide them towards that interest and teach them the skills to succeed in the field of that interest. Even if technical education after high school isn’t every student’s goal, career pathway programs also allow for real world application for entry-level jobs, allowing a student to gain the upper hand before they can apply for work. Claudio Sanchez interviewed 18-year-old Kareena Montalvo and learned that through one of her high school’s career pathway programs she fell in love with graphic design, which she plans to attend college for. Sanchez interviewed another student that has no desire for college, but enjoys working in the school store because “it’s like running a small business.” Career pathway programs are designed with a variety of individual outcomes for students with individual goals in mind. The programs re-engage students, allowing them to narrow their interests into select fields of study and prepare for their desired path after high school.