Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways

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Table of Contents

What is CTE?

Career Technical Education (CTE) is a series of courses that integrates core academic knowledge with technical and occupational knowledge to provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. In other words, these classes give students the skills they need for real-world careers.

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Agriculture & Natural Resources

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Arts, Media, & Entertainment*

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Building & Construction Trades

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Business & Finance

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Education, Child Development, & Family Services

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Energy, Environment, & Utilities

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Engineering & Architecture*

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Fashion & Interior Design

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Health Science & Medical Technology*

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Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation*

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Information & Communication Technology*

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Manufacturing & Product Development*

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Marketing, Sales, & Service

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Public Services

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Transportation

There are 15 CTE industry sectors in California:

*Esperanza High School offers courses from 6 sectors as bolded below.

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CTE and PYLUSD

What is a CTE Pathway?

What is the benefit of completing a CTE Pathway?

PYLUSD is committed to being a dynamic and supportive learning community that prepares each and every student for success now and in the future.

In order to reach success, students must be college AND career ready. Through offering CTE courses that are UC a-g approved, PYLUSD gives students the opportunity to gain technical skills while fulfilling requirements to apply to 4-year universities.

A pathway is a sequence of courses, within a specific CTE sector, that prepares students for postsecondary options in that field. Students that pass all of the courses in the pathway in a sequential order are CTE pathway completers.

• Receive a CTE Completion Medallion for graduation
• Be College AND Career ready
• Gain experience to put on your resume
• Earn industry recognized certification

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What is the difference between an Academy and a CTE Pathway?

Certificates vs. Certifications

Academies are specific sequences of courses that students can submit a choice transfer to attend a high school other than their home school. Academies build students’ academic knowledge while providing students with real-world industry skills. CTE Pathways are other sequences of courses that are offered at the same site, but cannot be used as a reason to submit a choice transfer. Esperanza’s transferrable academies are:

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Medical Sciences Academy

Aztec Engineering & Manufacturing Academy

Example Student Schedule

How Can I fit a CTE Pathway in my Schedule?

Example AP/Honors Student Schedule

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Students can fit entire pathways in their schedule no matter what track the student is on.

Academy Pathways

Aztec Engineering & Manufacturing Academy

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Engineering Design

Engineering Design is a full year-long course that continues lessons and engineering concepts from Intro to Engineering Design, and continues to develop applied problem-solving skills. Students explore many divergent disciplines of engineering: Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Land Planning, Surveying, 3D prototyping, Transportation, Aviation, Aerospace, Electrical and Energy. Individualized activity to align with student interest and development is expressed through the use of computer aided drafting, a core skill that is further enhanced in the course by student prepared presentations of their solutions and final designs for engineering problems. Students will apply CAD software to common engineering disciplines, such as OMAX, AutoCAD, MasterCAM, AutoDesk, and Solidworks, and build dynamic skill-sets with the CAD and CAM software. Hands-on activities such as model building and structural testing supplement instruction to further engage students and embed the concepts of physics through review and application, along with basic algebra and geometry concepts, for real-world problem solving using numbers, drawings, and designs. Students are actively involved with business partners on cooperative community classroom embedded assignments and do creative problem solving with business groups on prototypes for manufacturing.

Advanced Engineering & Design

The major skills and concepts learned in the first 2 courses for Engineering Career Pathway converge in the Advance Engineering and Manufacturing Class. In this capstone course students will work as part of a team in order to develop a solution to a technical problem cooperatively with a business and industry partner. Students identify an issue, problem, or need and, using the engineering design process, research, design, build, test, and present their solution to a panel of peers, faculty, and engineers. Students do extensive technical reading, writing, research and presentation as part of the design process.

Introduction to Engineering Design (Project Lead The Way)

Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students will solve problems as they practice common engineering design and development protocols such as project management and peer review. Students will develop skill in technical representation and documentation of design solutions according to accepted technical standards, and they will use current 3D design and modeling software to represent and communicate solutions. In addition the development of computational methods that are commonly used in engineering problem solving, including statistical analysis and mathematical modeling, are emphasized. Ethical issues related to professional practice and product development are also presented.

Course Descriptions

Careers in the Engineering and Architecture Sector

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Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

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Salary Range: $65,300-$161,600

Average Salary: $107,810

Job Preparation: Graduate School

Engineering Teacher, Postsecondary

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Salary Range: $60,490-$200,450

Average Salary: $129,790

Job Preparation: Graduate School

Industry Certifications

• AutoCAD
• AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application.
• Solidworks
• SolidWorks is a solid modeling computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering computer program that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows.
• OMAX
• OMAX Corporation is a large American provider of multi-axis water jet systems for use in the fabrication and manufacturing industry.
• MasterCAM
• Mastercam is a suite of Computer-Aided Manufacturing and CAD/CAM software applications.

Academy Pathways

Aztec Engineering & Manufacturing Academy

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Manufacturing Design

Manufacturing Design provides intermediate-level training in Manufacturing occupations. Building on previous skills acquired in Intro Manufacturing Design, students will gain the skills to earn industry credentials from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) on the vertical milling machine, engine lathe, and surface grinder. They will also receive an introduction to Computer Aided Design (CAD) via Solid-works and Computer Aided Machining (CAM). Employment possibilities include welder, fabricator, machine operator and beginning machinist. Instruction covers the following areas: safety in the workplace, precision measurement, vertical MIG, Arc, Oxy-Act, and Flux-cored, and TIG welding, Oxy-Fuel cutting, layout and design, grinding/finishing, tool making and sharpening, sawing/cutting, threading, drill presses, press brake, sheet metal, forge, fabrication, lathe, vertical mill, and Computer Numeric Controlled machining. Print reading, technical math instruction and an introduction to Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Machine systems are also included. Students use equipment such as measuring and layout tools, welding and metal working machines, drill presses, saws, lathes, vertical mills and computer numerical controlled machines.

Advanced Engineering & Design

This course provides students with an understanding of manufacturing processes and systems common to careers in welding and related industries. This instructional program prepares individuals to use both Gas Welding (OAW) and any combination of arc welding processes (SMAW, GMAW, GTAW) to weld, repair, lay out materials, and build projects as specified by diagrams, blueprints, or written specifications. It will prepare students to fabricate and assemble a variety of products, and includes instruction in layout; the sequence of design; the construction of templates and fixtures; and the positioning, aligning, fitting, and welding of parts and projects.

Introduction to Manufacturing Design

Introduction to Manufacturing is an opportunity to learn about the history of manufacturing, to develop an understanding of today's processes and think about what manufacturing may be like in the future. The course is designed as an entry level course and will be part of the Manufacturing and Product Development Industry Sector and the Machining and Forming Technologies or the Welding and Materials Joining pathways. Students will have the opportunity to develop understanding and skills through a hands on experience with a variety of industry related tools. Students will design, create, present, and evaluate their own work and the work of their classmates. Students will examine a variety of topics ranging from joining and fastening materials through welding, use of polymers, and other bonding agents. They will learn how and where it is appropriate to use each of these joining and fastening techniques. The course is designed as a project based course with key course competencies throughout each unit of study.

Course Descriptions

Careers in the Manufacturing and Product Development Sector

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Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Tool Programmers

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Salary Range: $36,420-$98,790

Average Salary: $66,560

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters

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Salary Range: $28,110-$68,040

Average Salary: $47,490

Job Preparation: High School Diploma

Geothermal Production Managers

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Salary Range: $62,100-$197,850

Average Salary: $123,110

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

Highest Paying!

Industry Certifications

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• OMAX
• OMAX Corporation is a large American provider of multi-axis water jet systems for use in the fabrication and manufacturing industry.
• MasterCAM
• Mastercam is a suite of Computer-Aided Manufacturing and CAD/CAM software applications.

Academy Pathways

Medical Sciences Academy

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Body Systems & Disorders

Body Systems and Disorders trains students on human anatomy and physiology, normal function of body systems, and associated pathologies. Students learn advanced medical terminology as applied to diseases, disorders, and medical interventions. The course includes in depth instruction on the respiratory, genitourinary, cardiovascular/ circulatory, immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. Study includes cell physiology, diseases and disorders, as well as health maintenance.

Medical Assistant, Clinical and Administrative

Medical Assistant, Clinical and Administrative trains students to assist a physician, work in a laboratory or medical office. Students learn medical and surgical asepsis; assisting the physician with physical examination of the patient and minor surgical procedures; electrocardiography; administration of medication by physician order; laboratory skills, to include blood withdrawal, urinalysis, and specimen collection; assisting with diagnostic procedures; nutrition; vital signs; introduction to basic anatomy and physiology and diseases commonly related to the medical office experience; medical terminology; and reinforcement of basic “prerequisite class” concepts. Required clinical work-based learning hours are included.

Medical Careers

Medical Careers trains students for entry-level occupations in the medical/health field and to standards required of workers in the field. Students learn the ethical and legal responsibilities of the health care worker, safety, HIPAA, transmission based precautions, body mechanics, transporting duties, human anatomy and physiology, the normal function of body systems, advanced terminology, and vital signs. Also included are health care delivery systems, regulatory agencies, research, current technology, and socio-economic issues affecting health care. Students research career opportunities in therapeutic, diagnostic, and supportive areas.

Course Descriptions

Careers in the Health Science and Medical Technology Sector

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Nurse Practitioners

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Salary Range: $94,940-$191,090

Average Salary: $133,780

Job Preparation: Graduate School

Biostatisticians

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Salary Range: $61,810-$152,030

Average Salary: $99,860

Job Preparation: Graduate School

Registered Nurses

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Salary Range: $66,440-$157,160

Average Salary: $106,950

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

Industry Certifications

• California Certification of Medical Assistants (CCMA)
• This is a recommended certificate to be a Medical Assistant given by the California Certifying Board for Medical Assistants.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Health Care Providers
• An emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest.

CTE Pathways

Culinary Arts Pathway

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Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts trains students to perform routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Students learn safety and sanitation, and introduction to food service operations, nutrition, food preparation, and presentation. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, and perform many other food service tasks.

Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management

In Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, students expand their study of Culinary Arts and explore Hospitality Management. They learn and apply their knowledge through standards and project-based curriculum in the lab class setting and in a working food service kitchen. Students develop culinary skills through nutritional analysis and recipe costing and development. They learn the correct use of food service equipment and food and kitchen safety with an emphasis on local, organic, and seasonal products and prepare, season, and cook a wide range of foods, including soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. In addition, students learn about small business management, including production, finance, marketing, and customer service. Students have the opportunity to test for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.

Introduction to Culinary Arts

If you love to cook or want to learn, this introductory class will give you more than the basics. You will learn garde manger (the art of fruit and vegetable carving), basic cooking and some international cooking. You’ll also learn safety and sanitation, nutrition basics, and food service operations. The class will prepare you for entry-level jobs and advanced training. Introduction to Culinary Arts trains students to perform routine tasks under the direction of cooks, chefs, or food service managers. Students learn safety and sanitation, and introduction to food service operations, nutrition, food preparation and presentation. Food preparation workers prepare cold foods, slice meat, peel and cut vegetables, and perform many other food service tasks.

Course Descriptions

Careers in the Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation Sector

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Chefs and Head Cooks

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Salary Range: $24,270-$82,600

Average Salary: $51,400

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

Dietitians and Nutritionists

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Salary Range: $42,880-$100,590

Average Salary: $74,060

Job Preparation: Graduate School

Food Service Managers

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Salary Range: $29,990-$90,150

Average Salary: $57,920

Job Preparation: High School Diploma

Industry Certifications

• California Food Handlers Card
• This is a required card for any food handler in California.
• ServSafe
• ServSafe is a food and beverage safety training and certificate program administered by the U.S. National Restaurant Association.

CTE Pathways

Graphic Design Pathway

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Digital Design and Illustration

Digital Design and Illustration trains students in the essentials of professional graphic design software used for electronic and print-ready artwork. Students learn digital layout, design, and illustration through project-based learning. Topics include foundational principles and elements of design, concept development, color theory, and typography. Current graphics software are used and assessed to verify proficiency in skills and concepts.

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Visual Communications

Visual Communications is a creative process that combines the visual arts and technology to communicate ideas. In this course, students will learn digital layout, design, and illustration as well as the elements and principles of design, color theory, typography, and art history. Students will become involved in the creative process, research, analysis, and application of historic and contemporary artists' styles.

Course Descriptions

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Intro to Arts, Media, & Entertainment

This is a Project-Based course focusing on the use of entry-level software and techniques to explore basic design principles, photography, and technical writing. This course will combine competencies in visual arts and print media, as well as foundational knowledge in design to introduce students to a variety of jobs in the multimedia/communications workforce. Students will develop skills in computer design, and print media design.

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Honors Graphic Design

Honors Graphic Design students will gain a progressive understanding of theory and concepts of visual communication used to present information or promote a message to a consumer driven market. This course will build upon techniques developed in previous coursework including fundamental principles and elements of visual communication and the historical development of design through exploring graphic art history. Students will explore, in an independent manner, the various facets of visual communication including the principles of design and layout, design theory, advertising principles, technology and practice. They will practice the art of conceptualizing projects, reinventing clichés, distilling complex information, and motivating an audience. Students will prepare individual portfolios suitable for presentation for transfer to another college, art school, client, or job interview. Students’ skills will be enhanced through experiences that simulate the graphic design industry using school-based and work-based learning opportunities.

Careers in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment Sector

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Multimedia Artists and Animators

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Salary Range: $48,340-$131,370

Average Salary: $87,960

Job Preparation: Bachelor’s Degree

Graphic Designers

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Salary Range: $32,260-$97,290

Average Salary: $61,100

Job Preparation: Bachelor’s Degree

Industry Certifications

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editing program published by Adobe. It is useful for designing logos, clip art, blueprints, and other precise, resolution-independent illustrations.
• Adobe Photoshop
• Students learn how to digitally alter images using an image-editing software.

Web Developers

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Salary Range: $38,040-$149,230

Average Salary: $86,160

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

CTE Pathways

Computer Science Pathway

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AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.

AP Computer Science Principles

AP Computer Science Principles offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles also gives students the opportunity to use current technologies to create computational artifacts for both self-expression and problem solving. Together, these aspects of the course make up a rigorous and rich curriculum that aims to broaden participation in computer science.

Course Descriptions

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Careers in the Information & Communication Technology Sector

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Software Developers

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Salary Range: $81,120-$192,530

Average Salary: $131,700

Job Preparation: Bachelor’s Degree

Computer and Information System Managers

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Salary Range: $104,750-$208,000+

Average Salary: $180,250

Job Preparation: Bachelor’s Degree

Computer User Support Specialists

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Salary Range: $37,480-$102,650

Average Salary: $66,350

Job Preparation: Certification or Associate’s Degree

Majors

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Engineering
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Computer Programming
• Computer Science
• Computer Support Specialist
• Information Technology

Colleges

• All CSU/UC schools
• Bakersfield College
• Cypress College
• Irvine Valley College
• Mt. San Antonio College
• Orange Coast College
• Santiago Canyon College

Next Steps

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Explore Other Careers

• CAcareerzone.org
• Taking the Work Importance Profiler is highly recommended

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Research different Majors and Programs

• College Navigator (nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/)

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Apprenticeships

Want to get paid for learning? Check out Apprenticeship Programs near you!

• Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job training (OJT) and related technical instruction (RTI) that help you gain real-skills by a professional or company
• To find apprenticeship programs in California visit: https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp
• To find apprenticeship programs nationwide visit: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/

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Explore Colleges

• CaliforniaColleges.edu

Identify a Career

Select a Major that aligns with your career

Choose a College or program that has that major

Last updated 10/23.24