PLAnning YOuR CAREER
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 seamless course of study from high school into college or other
industries that share certain features. The Government postsecondary education or training. The electives you choose
& Public Administration cluster, for example, includes can complement your core academic classes to prepare you for
legislators and agricultural inspectors. Texas has adopted 16 the challenges of the real world of work.
career clusters (see back cover), the same ones designated and
developed by the U.S. Department of Education. As the graphic Review Your TAP Each Year
below shows, within each cluster are programs of study, which Don’t get locked into a cluster and program of study you don’t
are more specific groupings of similar occupations. Think of a like. You should reexamine your TAP at least once a year and
program of study as being like a college major. In Government change programs or clusters if your interests have changed.
& Public Administration, you might choose to focus on Choosing a cluster and program of study, even if it changes later,
Governance or National Security in high school and college. 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 future.
Related Occupations When you know where your education is going and why, your
Each program of study includes a range of related occupations; classes will become more meaningful. You’ll make contact with
legislator is an example of an occupation that falls within students, teachers, and employers who share your interest in a
Governance. Choosing a career cluster and program of study particular career area. You’ll have experiences that are fun and
will help you acquire the knowledge and skills you’ll need exciting. You’ll be on your way to success in school, in a career,
to enter your chosen career. It will allow you to follow a 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
Foreign Service Interpreter & Translator
Governance Legislator
National Security Military Officer
C L U S T E R
Government &
Planning Urban & Regional Planner
Public Administration
Public Mgmt. & Admin. City Manager
Regulation Immigration & Customs Inspector
Revenue & Taxation Tax Examiner
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