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 a range Don’t get locked into a cluster and program
that share certain features. T he Law, of related occupations; Firefighter of study you don’t like. You should
Public Safety, Corrections & Security is an example of an occupation that reexamine your TAP at least once a year
cluster, for example, includes police falls within Emergency and Fire and change programs or clusters if your
officers and lawyers. Texas has adopted Management Services. interests have changed. Choosing a cluster
16 career clusters (see back cover), the Choosing a career cluster and and program of study, even if it changes later,
same ones designated and developed by program of study will help you means that you’ll have a direction in life.
the U.S. Department of Education. acquire the knowledge and skills The idea is to be aware of what’s going on
As the graphic below shows, within you’ll need to enter your chosen in your life and take control of your future.
each cluster are programs of study, which career. It will allow you to follow When you know where your education is
are more specific groupings of similar a seamless course of study from going and why, your classes will become
occupations. Think of a program of study high school into college or other more meaningful. You’ll make contact with
as being like a college major. In Law, postsecondary education or training. students, teachers, and employers who share
Public Safety, Corrections & Security, you The electives you choose can your interest in a particular career area.
might choose to focus on Emergency and complement your core academic You’ll have experiences that are fun and
Fire Management Services in high school 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
Correction Services Corrections Officer
Emergency and Fire Mgmt. Services Firefighter
C L U S T E R
Law, Public Safety, Law Enforcement Services Police Patrol Officer
Corrections & Security
Legal Services Lawyer
Security and Protective Services Security Guard
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