•
It is a vast database of information about hundreds blueprint as needed
Arts, A/V
of professions. You can find OSCAR at www.ioscar. as you go along. If your career Technology &
org/tx. Another good place to start is O*NET plans include college study, ask your counselor about
Communication
(online.onetcenter.org). tests required for admission to college, such as the
Gather information about what you can earn in the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.
CTsOs
careers in which you are interested. Find out whether
one of the best ways to acquire
the careers you are considering have a promising seek Out special Programs
experience in your chosen
future—are they adding or losing jobs? Check out the Many Texas schools offer innovative programs to
career is by joining a career and
education you’ll need to enter those careers. prepare students for specific career areas. These
technical student organization
The chart on pages 10–11 presents data on 25 include career and technical education (CTE)
(cTso). In arts, a/v Technology
possible professions. Remember, though, that these are programs, academies, and magnet schools. Once
& communications, the most
just a sampling of careers available in the cluster. Go you’ve decided on a career direction, ask your
helpful cTsos are:
to OSCAR, O*NET, or another resource to investigate counselor about special programs in your area that
other careers. may provide related experiences in your chosen career.
• skillsUsA
Samuel Odamah, an undergraduate student in www.txskillsusa.org
Create Your TAP architecture enrolled at the University of Texas at
Once you have a better idea of your interests and Arlington, found his career calling at Dallas’s Skyline
• business professionals
of America (bpA)
abilities, you are ready to plan for high school and Career Development Center, a high school with career
www.texasbpa.com
beyond. The Texas Achievement Plan, or TAP, is your programs in a number of different fields.
plan for preparing for the career of your choice. “Skyline is one of the few schools in the country • deCA, texas Association
“Students first choose a cluster,” says Terry Brock, that offer programs in architecture,” Odamah says.
www.texasdeca.org
“not a particular occupational goal. In the eighth grade “In some careers, Skyline students could even get
• Family, Career and
a student might choose Health Science and then later professional certifications or licenses right in high
Community leaders of
become interested in a narrower field such as surgery school. It was a great place because you could find out
America (FCClA)
or radiology technology.” whether you really wanted to enter a career.” www.texasfccla.org
The program of study you choose—your plan— Odamah says that the career cluster system at
does not stop with graduation from high school, Skyline taught him the value of planning for his career
• Future business leaders
of America (FblA)
Brock emphasizes. “A student could then pursue a and his life. “We learned about planning ahead,” he
www.txfbla.org
two-year degree as an x-ray technician or a four-year says. “Those who plan things ahead of time don’t have
degree as a radiologist.” to catch up. It’s just a matter of what a person wants • texas technology
You should set up a TAP that takes you through out of life. Planning gives you a better platform
students Association (tsA)
career preparation after high school, revising your for success.”
www.texastsa.org
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