Electives can be a good way to make high school fun, to bring some moments of levity to a day crowded with the intense courses found in these upper grades, particularly in a college prep scenario. What is your child interested in? Which hobbies does s/he gravitate toward? Are there any career interests yet? This is a good way to let colleges know more about your student, as they see which electives made the cut and ended up on the transcript.
If your student doesn’t know what they want to take and / or
doesn’t have a field of interest for a possible future career yet, it might be
time to check out a Career Exploration
course. The Career Clusters Student Interest Survey is an inventory that helps narrow down
your child’s field of interest based on preferences, hobbies, and skills. It takes about fifteen minutes to complete
and then shows the top three fields of interest for possible careers. This metric includes sixteen different
’career clusters,’ including jobs ranging from entry-level to professional, and
is a great way to determine elective choice!
Great places for finding elective materials include Christian Light, SchoolhouseTeachers
(which has 350+ courses), Udemy, or creating your own (this last option takes a
lot more teacher-planning). Our favorite
source is SchoolhouseTeachers just because of the sheer number of courses
offered. With the same membership we get
our core curriculum (for the entire family!), we also get electives for
everyone, including Intro to Guitar, another music, one art, two art, list
three ore electives here.... One
price covers the whole family for everything that’s there now plus everything
that’s added in the future...no extra fees or books, it’s all included for
preschool to graduation!
If you have the opportunity, it will benefit your student to
take elective choices aligning with his or her career interests. This will help with determining if that is a
good fit (it’s better to find this out in high school than once you’ve paid for
that college training!), and will give them some introductory level knowledge,
which can be a leg up in the job market.
Once you’ve taken the Career Clusters Student Interest Survey and have results in hand, look at the top
three clusters. Find them below to see
which careers and elective choices would be a great fit! Get a printable copy of the table here.
Explore more with our Guide to Middle & High School Electives.
1
|
Agriculture, Food, and Natural
Resources
This cluster is for anyone interested in the production, management,
and consumption of food and the world of natural resources. The career
pathways in this cluster include biotechnology, agribusiness, environmental
service, animal systems, plant systems, and food products and processing,
among many others.
Students interested in this field might enjoy working outdoors and
being physically active. They may also
exhibit interest in nature, taking care of pets, the environment and ecology,
and gardening.
|
Potential Careers
·
Ag Science Teacher
·
Veterinarian
·
Biochemist
·
Food Inspector
·
Meat Processor
·
Cartographer
·
Landscaper
·
Farmer / Rancher
·
Greenhouse Worker
Possible Electives
·
Botany
|
2
|
Architecture and Construction
The three career pathways in this cluster are construction,
design and pre-construction, and maintenance and operations.
Students interested in this field might enjoy working with their
hands, demonstrate curiosity about structures and design, like using tools,
have an aptitude for math and science, like solving or analyzing problems, or
enjoy building things.
|
Potential Careers
·
Architect
·
Engineer
·
Electrician
·
Plumber
·
Carpenter
·
Construction Worker
·
Elevator Installer/Repairer
Possible Electives
|
3
|
Arts, A/V Technology, and
Communications
For the more creative students out there, the careers in this cluster
encompass everything artistic! Students might get a degree or start working
on the job and then move up the ranks.
Students interested in this field might enjoy drawing, animating,
performing musically or on stage, dancing, creating original video or film,
sketching, painting, photography, sculpture, or graphic design.
|
Potential Careers
·
Graphic Artist
·
Costume Designer
·
Art Teacher
·
Newspaper Reporter
·
Photojournalist
·
Museum Curator
·
Musician
Possible Electives
|
4
|
Business Management and Administration
Every team needs a good captain, and a career in business and administration
includes planning, organizing, and directing for productive business
operations.
Students interested in this field might enjoy running a small
business, developing web pages, managing financial accounts, preparing
reports, analyzing data, or organizing events or fundraisers..
|
Potential Careers
·
Accountant
·
Financial Manager
·
Company Executive
·
Office Manager
·
Human Resources Specialist
·
Bookkeeper
·
Receptionist
·
Entrepreneur
Possible Electives
|
5
|
Education and Training
A job in the education field often comes with less short-term reward,
but more long-term reward as this position impacts other. It includes planning and providing
education services and related learning support services.
Students interested in this field might enjoy babysitting, tutoring,
creating lesson plans or units, attending summer camps, creating crafts,
playing educational games, or coaching youth sports.
|
Potential Careers
·
School Counselor
·
Teacher or Teacher’s Aide
·
Social Worker
·
Coach
·
Day Care Center Director
·
Librarian
·
School Administrator
Possible Electives
|
6
|
Finance
This career requires a solid understanding of mathematical
applications, and may also include banking, insurance, and business financial
management.
Students interested in this field might enjoy investing money, budgeting,
using spreadsheets, balancing an account, being a club treasurer, organizing
a fundraiser, playing a mock stock market game, or studying investments and
the stock market.
|
Potential Careers
·
Auditor
·
Appraiser
·
Banker
·
Loan Officer
·
Securities Trader
·
Financial Advisor
·
Accountant
·
Claims Adjuster
Possible Electives
|
7
|
Government and Public Administration
Some of these careers are military-based, whereas others deal with
the government and serving the country.
Tasks may include national security, foreign service, regulation and
inspection, or management and administration at the local, state, and federal
levels.
Students interested in this field might enjoy volunteering as a
government page, participating in a political campaign, researching and
writing grants, learning a foreign language, making speeches, or running for
club office.
|
Potential Careers
·
National Security (FBI, NSA, Armed Forces)
·
Border Inspector
·
City Manager / Planner
·
Congressional Aide
·
Elected Official
·
State Department Official
·
Political Campaign Manager
Possible Electives
·
Accounting
|
8
|
Health Sciences
The fastest-growing of the clusters, these jobs are located
everywhere. Tasks include planning,
managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, support
services, and research and development.
Students interested in this field might enjoy learning First Aid or
CPR, volunteering at a nursing home or hospice care center, learning how the
body works, or watching medical-themed shows.
|
Potential Careers
·
Dietician
·
Athletic Trainer
·
Pharmacist
·
Nurse or Physician
·
Radiology Technician
·
Dentist
·
Rehabilitation Therapist
·
Dentist
·
Medical Research
Possible Electives
·
Music
|
9
|
Hospitality and Tourism
Someone who always knows the best places to visit, the most delicious
restaurants, or what’s going on locally this weekend may enjoy the
management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services,
lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel related services.
Students interested in this field might enjoy traveling, learning
about other cultures, learning a foreign language, planning a vacation,
cooking and baking, participating in recreational activities, lifeguarding, or
helping others to have an enjoyable time.
|
Potential Careers
·
Camp Counselor
·
Travel Agent
·
Hotel Manager
·
Chef/Baker/Server/Cook
·
Translator
·
Cruise Ship Director
·
National or State Park Ranger
Possible Electives
|
10
|
Human Services
This is a good fit for those individuals who like helping others and
meeting the needs of all. Tasks
include counseling, caretaking, and assisting individuals in basic human
needs and mental health issues.
Students interested in this field might enjoy helping others with
problems, listening to friends in need, working with the elderly and inform,
volunteering, collecting and delivering items to people in need, or serving
at a homeless shelter.
|
Potential Careers
·
Childcare worker
·
Sociologist
·
Counselor (various types)
·
Psychologist
·
Funeral Director
·
Clergy/Pastor
·
Social Worker
Possible Electives
|
11
|
IT Information Technology
An up and coming career cluster, this sector requires continuous learning
to stay focused on the current trends in design, development, support, and
management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration
services.
Students interested in this field might enjoy playing video games, designing
video games, computer programming, assembling computer parts, web site
development, analyzing data or information, or creating apps.
|
Potential Careers
·
Computer Engineer
·
Animator
·
Database Administrator
·
Network Systems Analyst
·
Web Administrator
·
Computer Programmer
·
IT Security Specialist
Possible Electives
|
12
|
Public Safety, Corrections, and
Security
Tasks in the security cluster include planning and providing legal,
public safety, protective services, and homeland security. This may include law enforcement, legal
services, or emergency services.
Students interested in this field might enjoy mystery books or movies,
following court cases in the news, listening to police scanners, volunteering
with search and rescue efforts, or participating in military organizations.
|
Potential Careers
·
Lawyer
·
Corrections Officer
·
Court Clerk
·
Police Officer or Detective
·
Firefighter
·
Park Ranger
·
Probation or Parole Officer
·
Armed Forces
Possible Electives
|
13
|
Manufacturing
This isn’t just about building things, but about improving upon
current designs. Tasks include turning
materials into final products, as well as the related technical support, production
planning, and engineering of products.
Students interested in this field might enjoy hands-on projects such
as sewing or knitting, building things such from wood and metal, repairing
machinery, repairing home appliances and equipment, working with leather
goods, operating tools and machinery.
|
Potential Careers
·
Machine Operator
·
Inspector
·
Manufacturer
·
Inspector
·
Technical Installer
·
Engineer
·
Laborer
Possible Electives
·
Welder
Apprentice
|
14
|
Marketing, Sales, and Service
Marketing is important to every industry and sector, whether
corporate or non-profit. Tasks include
planning and performing marketing activities, organizing promotional events,
and creating designs to bring attention to the product.
Students interested in this field might enjoy giving advice on
products they buy, creating review videos for YouTube, selling products for
fundraisers, design costumes and everyday clothes, rearranging furniture, or
setting up a fashion show.
|
Potential Careers
·
Real Estate Agent
·
Marketing Consultant
·
Retail Store Manager or Clerk
·
Customer Service Agent
·
Interior Designer
·
Fashion Model
Possible Electives
|
15
|
Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math
Technological innovation involves planning and providing scientific
research and technical service, such as laboratory and testing services. Sciences, math, engineering, and
technological careers also involve research and development.
Students interested in this field might enjoy problem solving,
creating new technological designs, collecting and identifying rocks or
plants, conducting science experiments, watching the weather, or stargazing.
|
Potential Careers
·
Architect
·
Biologist
·
Physicist
·
Environmental Scientist
·
Engineer
·
Chemist
·
Technician
·
Computer Hardware Engineer
Possible Electives
·
Military Organizations (ie: Civil Air Patrol)
·
Botany
|
16
|
Transportation, Distribution, and
Logistics
These types of careers involve managing the movement of people,
materials, and goods by road, pipeline, rail, air, and water. Services addressed include transportation,
infrastructure planning, logistics, mobile equipment, and facility
management.
Students interested in this field might enjoy working on automobiles,
taking transportation such as trains and planes, learning how machines work,
fixing all types of machines, or helping someone to move.
|
Potential Careers
·
Pilot
·
Mechanic
·
Transportation Specialist
·
Baggage Handler
·
Aerospace Technician
·
Urban Planner
·
Engineer
·
Electrician
Possible Electives
|
I need to do a careers unit with my lad, might help him generate ideas for his own future.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. :) :)
ReplyDeleteA fantastic resource to get my teens thinking! Thank you!
ReplyDelete