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
career 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 Business, Management or other postsecondary education or training. The electives you
& Administration 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 Business, Management change pathways or clusters if your interests have changed.
& Administration, you might choose to focus on Human Choosing a cluster and program of study, even if they change
Resources 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
human resources manager is an example of an occupation that with students, teachers, and employers who share your interest
falls within Human Resources. Choosing a career cluster and in a particular career area. You’ll have experiences that are fun
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
Administrative & Information Support Office ManageOffice Managerr
Business Analysis Operations Analyst
C L U S T E R
Business Financial Mgmt. & Accounting
Financial ManageFinancial Managerr
Business, Management
& Administration
Human Resources Human Resources Manager
Management Business Executive
Marketing Marketing Manager
Page 4
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