PLAnning YOur CArEErr
WH

AT

A

RE
Career Clusters
& Programs of Study
?
in Texas, TAPs (Texas Achievement Plans) will guide students’ high school and
college experiences (see next page). As part of this process, students focus their
studies within a chosen career cluster and program of study.
A
c

areer cluster is a group of occupations and broad industries follow a seamless course of study from high school into college
that share certain features. The Agriculture, Food & or other postsecondary education or training. The electives you
Natural Resources cluster, for example, includes office choose can complement your core academic classes to prepare
managers and business executives. Texas has adopted 16 career you for the challenges of the real world of work.
clusters (see back cover), the same ones designated and developed
by the U.S. Department of Education. As the graphic below review Your TAP Each Year
shows, within each cluster are programs of study, which are more Don’t get locked into a cluster and program of study you don’t
specific groupings of similar occupations. Think of a program like. You should reexamine your TAP at least once a year and
of study as being like a college major. In Agriculture, Food & change pathways or clusters if your interests have changed.
Natural Resources, you might choose to focus on Agribusiness Choosing a cluster and program of study, even if they change
Systems in high school and college. later, means that you’ll have a direction in life. The idea is to be
aware of what’s going on in your life and take control of your
related Occupations future. When you know where your education is going and why,
Each program of study includes a range of related occupations; your classes will become more meaningful. You’ll make contact
agriculture financial manager is an example of an occupation with students, teachers, and employers who share your interest
that falls within Agribusiness Systems. Choosing a career cluster in a particular career area. You’ll have experiences that are fun
and program of study will help you acquire the knowledge and and exciting. You’ll be on your way to success in school, in a
skills you’ll need to enter your chosen career. It will allow you to career, and in life.
P R O G R A M S O F S T U D Y E X A M P L E O C C U P A T I O N S
Agribusiness Systems Agricultural Financial Manager
Animal SystemAnimal Systemss Veterinary Technician
Environmental Service Systems Water Quality Manager
C L U S T E R
Agriculture, Food & Food Products & Processing Systems Meat Processor
Natural Resources
Plant Systems Biotechnology Teechnicianchnician
Power, Structural & Technical Systems Agricultural Engineer
Natural Resources Systems Wildlife Biologist
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