Career Paths in the Elk Grove Unified School District are coherent sequences of courses or fields of study that integrate occupational and academic learning. The four main career and technical education career paths are Agriscience, Business and Technology, Consumer and Family Studies, and Industrial and Technology Education. Students interested in one or more of the career and technology career fields may become a career academy student, enroll in one or more career path courses, and/or enroll in ROP courses.

Agri-Science:
Agriculture, our most basic industry, provides food, fiber, wood products, flowers, ornamental plants, and other plant and animal products needed by society. Agriculture directly supports 1.4 million jobs in California, nearly ten percent of all jobs in the state. Increasing demand for the products of agriculture means a growing demand for qualified employees with more advanced skills than ever before. Educational requirements for work in agri-science related occupations have increased, with college or technical education being required for the most desirable positions. The demand for skilled technicians and graduates in agricultural business and management, engineering, food science, sales, marketing, education and communications has expanded dramatically in recent years. To be successful in an agricultural career will require advanced training, which may include a technical level and/or college degree.

The seven career path clusters in the agri-science career path are:

Is a career in agriscience for you? If you answer "Yes" to most of the following questions, it may be.

• Do you have an aptitude for science?
• Are you interested in the study of plants and animals?
• Are you interested in raising animals or growing plants?
• Do you like to work with your hands to create, build or repair things
• Are you concerned about the future of agriculture in California and the United States?
• Do yo enjoy operating and/or maintaining motorized equipment?

Some characteristics of successful people in industrial and technology careers are:

Business and Technology:  
Virtually every career requires some business knowledge and/or technology skills. The ability to apply the skills and concepts learned in the business and technology career path allows an individual to meet the challenges of the future workplace. Whether at the entry or professional level, the successful business and technology employee will understand the relationship between business and the economy, and will be highly motivated to accept and adapt to change.

The five career path clusters in the Business and Technology career path are:

Is a career in business or technology for you? If you answer "Yes" to most of the following questions, it may be.

• Are you organized, efficient and comfortable doing detail work with numbers or words?
• Are you persuasive and able to convince people of your point of view?
• Are you a "people person"; comfortable meeting new acquaintances?
• Do you enjoy planning and directing the activities of an organization?
• Do you prefer your work to be structured, with clear guidelines?
• Do you get satisfaction by resolving detailed problems?
• Are you ambitious and achievement-oriented?
• Are you a leader?

Some characteristics of successful people in business and technology careers are:

Consumer and Family Studies:
The consumer and family career field touches every aspect of personal and work life. Students in the consumer and family career field are prepared for virtually hundreds of current and emerging careers in fields ranging from hospitality, fashion, food service, dietetics, and interior design to consumer, family and children's services. Career-technical, scientific, and product knowledge combined with management skills provide students with a competitive edge in business, education, and research. The consumer and family studies program integrates academic and career skills. concepts, and principles in the context of work, family and personal responsibilities. Students are equipped with critical personal and life management skills,while acquiring entry-level employment and advanced education in one of the following related career paths.

Is a consumer and family career for you? If you answer "Yes" to most of the following questions, it may be.

• Do you enjoy being in charge of school, family, or community projects?
• Is it important to you to have a career that offers creativity, flexibility and variety?
• Is it important to you to develop positive relationships with family, friends and peers?
• Are you interested in preparing nutritious foods from a variety of cultures and countries?
• Do you enjoy learning about how children develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually?

Some characteristics of successful people in consumer and family careers are:

Industrial and Technology Education:
The California culture is distinctly characterized as technological. Californians in the workforce and those preparing to enter or reenter the workforce must understand this technological culture if they are to function as responsible and productive citizens. Students in industrial and technology educational programs today are mastering curricula featuring basic scientific principles, mathematical concepts, and communication skills on which work and learning are based. Students who successfully complete an industrial and technology education program will adapt their understanding and skills as careers and technology change. The seven career path clusters in the industrial and technology career path are:

Is an industrial and technology career for you? If you answer "Yes" to most of the following questions, it may be.

• Do you like to work with your hands assembling, building or repairing things?
• Are you comfortable working with machines or equipment?
• Do you enjoy solving problems using facts and judgment?
• Are you curious about technology in today's society?
• Are you creative and enjoy designing things?
• Do you have an aptitude for computers?

Some characteristics of successful people in industrial and technology careers are:

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