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 Related Occupations Review Your TAP Each Year
occupations and broad industries Each program of study includes Don’t get locked into a cluster and program
that share certain features. The a range of related occupations; of study you don’t like. You should
Information Technology cluster, for software engineer is an example reexamine your TAP at least once a year
example, includes database administrator of an occupation that falls within and change programs or clusters if your
and software engineer. Texas has adopted Programming & Software interests have changed. Choosing a cluster
16 career clusters (see back cover), the Development. and program of study, even if it changes later,
same ones designated and developed by Choosing a career cluster and means that you’ll have a direction in life.
the U.S. Department of Education. program of study will help you The idea is to be aware of what’s going on
As the graphic below shows, within acquire the knowledge and skills you’ll in your life and take control of your future.
each cluster are programs of study, which need to enter your chosen career. It When you know where your education is
are more specific groupings of similar will allow you to follow a seamless going and why, your classes will become
occupations. Think of a program of course of study from high school more meaningful. You’ll make contact with
study as being like a college major. In into college or other postsecondary students, teachers, and employers who share
Information Technology, you might education or training. The electives your interest in a particular career area.
choose to focus on Programming & you choose can complement your core You’ll have experiences that are fun and
Software Development in high school academic classes to prepare you for the exciting. You’ll be on your way to success in
and college. challenges of the real world of work. school, 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
Information Support & Services Database Administrator
C L U S T E R
Interactive Media Web Developer
Information
Technology
Network Systems Network Systems Administrator
Programming & Software Development Software Engineer
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