Education leaders have recognized the importance of exposing students to a variety of occupations at an early age and are preparing students through the Missouri's Community Careers System for work and higher education. Career Paths are groups of careers that share similar characteristics. The paths are clusters of occupations that require different education levels and help students decide on a career area rather than a specific occupation. Career competencies are identified for grades K-12 in the Comprehensive Model Guidance Program. Career Paths help students identify their interests, abilities, and talents in relationship to a career path that best fits them.
Students have the opportunity to select academic courses related to their career path choice.
Career Paths benefit any student by providing a focus along with flexibility and a variety of ideas to pursue. Students learn how academic courses relate to career opportunities without narrowing their focus before they have the experiences to make career decisions. Parents and students can understand the variety and scope of career opportunities in their community. Businesses can analyze their occupational categories, and in turn, hire and train their workforce from their own community. A guide for students and their families.