Career Pathways

Direct-to-Workforce

This pathway involves entering the workforce immediately after high school without pursuing additional formal education. Jobs in this category often require on-the-job training or entry-level experience, with opportunities for advancement through experience.

Examples:

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material MoversDispatchersRetail SalespersonsGeneral and Operations ManagersConstruction Laborers

Direct-to-Workforce

This pathway involves entering the workforce immediately after high school without pursuing additional formal education. Jobs in this category often require on-the-job training or entry-level experience, with opportunities for advancement through experience.

Examples:

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material MoversDispatchersRetail SalespersonsGeneral and Operations ManagersConstruction Laborers

Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships

This career path involves learning a skilled trade through hands-on apprenticeships, vocational training, or technical programs, typically lasting 2-5 years. Many trades require certification or licensure but do not need a traditional college degree.

Examples:

ElectriciansHVAC Mechanics and InstallersAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPlumbers Pipefitters and SteamfittersElectric Motor and Power Tool Repairers

Skilled Trades & Apprenticeships

This career path involves learning a skilled trade through hands-on apprenticeships, vocational training, or technical programs, typically lasting 2-5 years. Many trades require certification or licensure but do not need a traditional college degree.

Examples:

ElectriciansHVAC Mechanics and InstallersAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPlumbers Pipefitters and SteamfittersElectric Motor and Power Tool Repairers

Certification-Based Careers

Certifications provide a fast-track option for entering specialized industries without requiring a full degree. Programs can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, and certification exams are usually required.

Examples:

Aerospace Engineering and Operations TechniciansAvionics TechniciansBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsComputer System Engineers/ArchitectsDental Assistants

Certification-Based Careers

Certifications provide a fast-track option for entering specialized industries without requiring a full degree. Programs can take anywhere from a few months to a couple of years, and certification exams are usually required.

Examples:

Aerospace Engineering and Operations TechniciansAvionics TechniciansBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsComputer System Engineers/ArchitectsDental Assistants

Associate Degree Pathway

An Associate Degree typically takes two years and is earned at a community college or technical school. It prepares students for direct employment or transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s degree program.

Examples:

Acute Care NursesComputer Systems AnalystsWind Energy Operations ManagersSolar Sales Representatives and AssessorsDental Hygienists

Associate Degree Pathway

An Associate Degree typically takes two years and is earned at a community college or technical school. It prepares students for direct employment or transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s degree program.

Examples:

Acute Care NursesComputer Systems AnalystsWind Energy Operations ManagersSolar Sales Representatives and AssessorsDental Hygienists

Bachelor’s Degree Pathway

A Bachelor’s Degree is a four-year program that provides foundational and advanced knowledge in a particular field. It is often a requirement for professional careers and higher-paying jobs.

Examples:

Computer and Inforrmation ScientistsElementary School TeachersAirline Pilots, Copilots and Flight EngineersComputer and Information Systems ManagersFinancial Managers

Bachelor’s Degree Pathway

A Bachelor’s Degree is a four-year program that provides foundational and advanced knowledge in a particular field. It is often a requirement for professional careers and higher-paying jobs.

Examples:

Computer and Inforrmation ScientistsElementary School TeachersAirline Pilots, Copilots and Flight EngineersComputer and Information Systems ManagersFinancial Managers

Master’s or Professional Degree Pathway

A Master’s Degree typically requires 1-3 additional years beyond a Bachelor’s Degree, while a Professional Degree (e.g., J.D., M.D., Pharm.D.) may take 3-7 years depending on the field. These degrees provide advanced expertise and career specialization.

Examples:

Nurse PractitionersBiostatisticiansArchitectural and Engineering ManagersAnesthesiologist AssistantsHealth Informatics Specialists

Master’s or Professional Degree Pathway

A Master’s Degree typically requires 1-3 additional years beyond a Bachelor’s Degree, while a Professional Degree (e.g., J.D., M.D., Pharm.D.) may take 3-7 years depending on the field. These degrees provide advanced expertise and career specialization.

Examples:

Nurse PractitionersBiostatisticiansArchitectural and Engineering ManagersAnesthesiologist AssistantsHealth Informatics Specialists

Doctoral Degree Pathway

A Doctoral Degree is the highest level of education, requiring 3-8+ years beyond a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree. It is essential for research, academia, healthcare, and specialized professions.

Examples:

LawyersPharmacistsCardiologistsAstronomersSports Medicine Physicians

Doctoral Degree Pathway

A Doctoral Degree is the highest level of education, requiring 3-8+ years beyond a Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree. It is essential for research, academia, healthcare, and specialized professions.

Examples:

LawyersPharmacistsCardiologistsAstronomersSports Medicine Physicians

Military & Government Pathway

The military and public sector offer career opportunities that may provide education, specialized training, and leadership development. Some roles require college degrees, while others rely on military training.

Examples:

Government Property Inspectors and InvestigatorsAdministrative Law Jugdes, Adjudicators and Hearing OfficersCourt and Municipal ClerksPolitical ScientistsPostsecondary Political Science Teachers

Military & Government Pathway

The military and public sector offer career opportunities that may provide education, specialized training, and leadership development. Some roles require college degrees, while others rely on military training.

Examples:

Government Property Inspectors and InvestigatorsAdministrative Law Jugdes, Adjudicators and Hearing OfficersCourt and Municipal ClerksPolitical ScientistsPostsecondary Political Science Teachers

Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment

Entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals start their own businesses or work independently. This path requires business knowledge, risk-taking, and industry expertise, but formal education is not always necessary.

Examples:

Chief ExecutivesGraphic DesignersWeb and Digital Interface DesignersAcupuncturistsInvestment Fund Managers

Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment

Entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals start their own businesses or work independently. This path requires business knowledge, risk-taking, and industry expertise, but formal education is not always necessary.

Examples:

Chief ExecutivesGraphic DesignersWeb and Digital Interface DesignersAcupuncturistsInvestment Fund Managers

Gig & Freelance Economy

This pathway involves working as an independent contractor, taking on short-term or freelance work rather than a traditional full-time job. Education requirements vary based on the profession.

Examples:

Writers and AuthorsModelsInterpreters and TranslatorsPhotographersPainters, Sculptors, Illustrators and Other Fine Artists

Gig & Freelance Economy

This pathway involves working as an independent contractor, taking on short-term or freelance work rather than a traditional full-time job. Education requirements vary based on the profession.

Examples:

Writers and AuthorsModelsInterpreters and TranslatorsPhotographersPainters, Sculptors, Illustrators and Other Fine Artists

The career information and data on this page incorporates information from Advance CTE: State Leaders Connecting Learning to Work, O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.