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 college or other postsecondary education or training.
industries that share certain features. The Human Services The electives you choose can complement your core
cluster, for example, includes counselors and dietitians. academic classes to prepare you for the challenges of the
Texas has adopted 16 career clusters (see back cover), the same real world of work.
ones designated and developed by the U.S. Department of
Education. As the graphic below shows, within each cluster are Review Your TAP Each Year
programs of study, which are more specific groupings of similar Don’t get locked into a cluster and program of study you don’t
occupations. Think of a program of study as being like a college like. You should reexamine your TAP at least once a year and
major. In Human Services, you might choose to focus on Family change pathways or clusters if your interests have changed.
& Community Services in high school and college. Choosing a cluster and program of study, even if they change
later, means that you’ll have a direction in life. The idea is to be
Related Occupations aware of what’s going on in your life and take control of your
Each program of study includes a range of related occupations; future. When you know where your education is going and
dietitian is an example of an occupation that falls within why, your classes will become more meaningful. You’ll make
Family & Community Services. Choosing a career cluster and contact with students, teachers, and employers who share your
program of study will help you acquire the knowledge and interest in a particular career area. You’ll have experiences that
skills you’ll need to enter your chosen career. It will allow you are fun and exciting. You’ll be on your way to success in school,
to follow a seamless course of study from high school into in a 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
Consumer Services Financial Manager Advisor
Counseling & Mental Health Services Counselor/Therapist
C L U S T E R
Early Childhood Development & Services Early Childhood Educator
Human Services
Family & Community SerFamily & Community Servicesvices Dietitian
Personal Care Services Cosmetologist
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