Zillah High School Career Pathways
 
 
A  part of our comprehensive guidance plan, students are encouraged to explore the various career pathways and specific career clusters and individual occupations prior to completion of the 9th grade year.  The number following the occupations is a WOIS reference number.  Detailed information about this careers are available via computer access in the Guidance Center, Library and online at www.wois.org.  (See Mr. Griffin for password access) Hardcopy booklets are also available in the Guidance Center.  

How much education do you wish to invest in?

The more education that you will invest your time, money and energy to, the greater choices will await you.  These are three general categories based on education levels completed.

 
Entry Level Careers: Entry level occupations are usually the lowest skill level positions.  While they may be obtained with a high school diploma, many are minimum wage positions with little advancement opportunity.  This is a declining area in the economy as more occupations require some skilled training.  About 25% of all jobs fall in this category.
 
Skilled Level Careers: Skilled occupations require candidates to complete specialized training such as completion of a technical or community college program of 1-3 years in duration earning An Associate Degree.  Many of the skills for these jobs can be obtained through free training in the military.  Higher wages and more opportunity for advancement are found.  This category is the fastest growing segment of our economy.  About 50% of all jobs fall in this category. 
 
Professional Careers: Professional occupations require candidates to complete specialized training such as completion of at least a 4 year college degree.  Many of the skills for these jobs require a masters or doctorate level degree.  This category has remained steady in demand for the past 20 years.  About 25% of all jobs fall in this category.  
 

 
Recommended Course Completion
 
The chart gives students and parents an outline for course completion during their 4 years at Zillah High School.  Each year 2 semesters of English, Math, Science are required in grades 9-10-11 and 2 semesters of Social Studies are required in grades 9, 10 and 12. These recommendations will allow students the greatest flexibility in post secondary education and career choices.
4 Year Sample Plans
 
4 year plan: The ZHS Faculty recommends all students complete the following:
 
English -8 semesters,
        Mathematics-8 semesters
Social Studies-8 semesters
        Science -8 semesters
Applied-Technical-Career Education-4 semesters
Foreign Language-4 semesters
Health-Fitness-4 semesters
Fine Arts-2 semesters
 
 
4 Year Sample Plans
 
FRESHMAN YEAR
 
SOPHOMORE YEAR
English 9A & B (2 Semesters)
 
English 10 A & B (2 semester)
Math (Algebra 1 A & B) (2 semesters)
 
Math (Geometry A & B) (2 semesters)
Integrated Science A & B (2 semesters)
 
Biology A & B (Lab Science) (2 semesters)
WA History & Government (2 semesters)
 
U.S. History A & B (2 semesters)
Health (1 semester)
 
Fitness Activity Course (1 semester)
Fitness Activity Course (1 semester)
 
CTE Elective (1 semester)
CTE Elective (1 semester)
 
Electives (5 semester choices)
Electives (4 semester choices)
 
 
 
JUNIOR YEAR
 
SENIOR YEAR
English Choices 11/12 (2 semesters)
 
English Choices 11/12 (2 semesters)
Math (Algebra 2 A & B) (2 semesters)
 
CWP A & B (2 semesters)
Chemistry A & B (Lab Science) (2 semesters)
 
Math (Pre-Calculus A & B) (2 semesters)
Social Studies Electives (2 semesters)
 
Lab Science choice (2 semesters)
Foreign Language (2 semesters)
 
Foreign Language (2 semesters)
Fitness Activity Course (1 semester)
 
Fitness Activity Course (1 semester)
CTE Elective (1 semester)
 
CTE Elective (1 semester)
Electives (3 semester choices)
 
Electives (3 semester choices)
 
NOTE: 2 semesters are required in Fine Arts for graduation requirements and for college entrance. Starting with the Class of 2008 1 semester of Health is required.  These may be taken at any time that the student chooses.  All students are encouraged to develop microcomputer and technology skills prior to graduation.
   

Arts and Communications: Creative Careers
 
Interest Areas: Artistic, Musical, Literary, Creative, Design, Dramatic, Performing, Broadcasting
 
Careers in this pathway include a wide variety of occupations in which individuals prefer free, unsystematic activities that manipulate physical, verbal, or human materials to create art forms or products. 
This pathway is for students who enjoy: doing creative work with their hands, using design, color, and materials, and/or going to concerts, playing musical instruments, signing, going to plays, and/or reading, writing, reporting, performing, broadcasting.
 
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT OCCUPATIONS: People in art and entertainment occupations provide services directly to people.  The labor itself is the final product.  They often create and entertain people.  Employment Outlook: The outlook is limited.  Competition is extremely stiff to enter and keep a job in this area.  Most persons in this area only work part time and support themselves in another occupation or by teaching their craft or skill.  The Outlook is best for those who have excellent job-seeking skills, talent, persistence, and luck.
 
GRAPHIC ARTS AND DESIGN OCCUPATIONS: People in graphic arts occupations possess a variety of specialized skills which they use to design and print graphic materials such as catalogs, brochures, posters, newspapers, advertising, and displays.  Employment Outlook: The number of jobs is growing moderately.  Computer assisted design is the fastest growing field and will hold much promise for future employment.  Competition for jobs in this area is often high and many people are interested in these kinds of jobs.
 
RESEARCH AND SOCIAL WRITING OCCUPATIONS: People in research and social writing occupations examine human problems and events, may write about them or plan corrective actions.  Employment Outlook: The need for people in these occupations will remain strong, but the number of job openings is controlled by society’s willingness to pay workers for these positions.  Competition is stiff for openings and often require a high level of education.  Many persons choose to teach their occupation at the university level.
 
 
Entry Level Careers  

Actors

Advertising Workers

Announcers

Crafts Workers

Disk Jockey

Dispatcher

Makeup Artists

Media Buyers & Sellers

Merchandise Displayers

Models

Singers

 
 
Skilled Level Careers

Actors

Art Directors

Audio-Visual Specialists

Camera Operators

Cartoonists and Animators

Costume & Wardrobe Specialists

Dancers

Editors

Floral Designers

Glass Blowers

Graphic Designers

Interior Designers

Interpreters and Translators

Jewelers

Museum Technicians/Conservators

Page Layout Workers

Photographers

Potters

Set/Exhibit Designers

Sketch Artists

Writers

 

Professional Careers

 

Actors

Camera Operators

Choreographers

Composers and Arrangers

Fashion Designers

Film/Video Editors

Fine Artists

Graphic Designers

Industrial Designers

Interior Designers

Landscape Architects

Musicians

Musical Directors

News Reporters

Photographers

Technical Writers

 
 

 
Business Operations: Management, Marketing & Clerical Careers
 
 
Interest Areas: Business, Computational, Clerical, Persuasive, Economic
 
Careers in this pathway include a wide variety of occupations in which individuals supervise or influence others to achieve business goals or economic gain, or which individuals manipulate data, file, operate computers, and organize written and numerical information according to a prescribed plan to achieve business or economic goals.  
            This pathway is for students who enjoy working with numbers, doing tasks which require precision, accuracy and attention to details, being a persuasive person, meeting, dealing with and convincing other people or promoting projects, products, or causes. 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE: People in administrative occupations plan, develop, implement and communicate the policies of their organization.  They may also supervise operations and/or production and coordinate the staff. Employment Outlook: The demand for managers is rising slightly faster than most occupations.  Successful managers have little difficulty changing employers because their skills are always in demand.
 
BOOKKEEPING/ACCOUNTING: People in bookkeeping and accounting occupations help management control the operation of an organization by obtaining and recording information about accounts and business transactions.  Employment Outlook:  The demand for people in these occupations is steady.  Some experience higher turn over due to some relatively low wages in entry positions.  These occupations are generally less influenced by minor economic downturns.
 
CLERICAL: People in clerical occupations aid communication and the flow of business by typing letters, keeping files, greeting visitors and answering phones.  They may also use new technologies such as computers to accomplish these goals.  Employment Outlook:  The demand for clerical occupations is strong and steady.  Turnover can be high due to relatively low wages earned by many, but not all workers.  Those with computer skills receive greater compensation.
 
SALES: People in sales occupations assist consumers in making purchases of goods and services.  Some help customers to buy certain products and others try to persuade customers to buy certain products.  Salespeople can work for manufacturers or wholesalers. A significant number of salespeople work for retail stores.  Employment Outlook:  Opportunities are generally good.  Most persons willing to work on a commission basis can find jobs easily.  There are often large numbers of openings each year as turn over is high.
 
STOCK CONTROL: People in stock control occupations handle, store and control goods and materials during production, warehousing, and distribution from the producer to the consumer.  Employment Outlook:  There is a strong need for warehousing occupations since products in our state are most often shipped to other states and countries.  Growth is slow in some areas, while competition for these jobs are moderate.  Automation can also limit new opportunities.
 
Entry Level Careers

Baggage Porters & Bellhops

Bailiffs

Bill/Account Collectors

Billing Clerks

Bookkeeping Clerks

Brokerage Clerks

Buspersons

Cashiers

Casino Workers

Counter/Retail Clerks

Counter Attendants

Couriers and Messengers

Credit Check Clerks

Customer Service Reps

Data Entry Clerk

Demonstrators/Promoters

File Clerks

Funeral Attendants

General Office Clerks

Hotel Desk Clerks

Insurance Claims Clerks

Library Assistants

License Clerks

Life Guards/Ski Patrols

Mail Carriers and Clerks

Meter Readers

Order Clerks

Parking Lot Attendants

Parts Salespeople

Payroll Clerks

Personnel Clerks

Postal Clerks

Production Clerks

Proofreaders

Real Estate Clerks

Receptionists

Recreation Workers

Reservation/Ticket Clerks

Restaurant Hosts

Retails Salespeople

Route Salespeople

Shipping/Receiving Clerks

Statistical Clerks

Tax Preparers

Telemarketers

Telephone Operators

Title Examiners & Clerks

Tour Guides

Train Conductors

Transportation Agents

Travel Agents

Typists/Word Processors

Ushers/Ticket Takers

Waiters/Waitresses

 
 
Skilled Level Careers

Administrative Service Managers

Advertising Managers

Advertising Salespeople

Agents/Business Managers

Agriculture Worker Supervisors

Appraisers and Assessors

Bank Tellers

Buyers/Purchasing Agents

City Planning Aides

Compliance/Inspection Officers

Computer Operators

Computer Security Specialists

Computer Support Specialists

Construction Managers

Court Clerks

Court Reporters

Credit Analysts

Employee Training Specialists

Executive/Administrative Assistants

Flight Attendants

Food Service Supervisors

Health Information Technicians

Hotel/Motel Managers

Insurance Agents

Janitor/Housekeeping Supervisors

Legal Secretaries

Library Technical Assistants

Loan Clerks

Medical Secretaries

Meeting/Convention Planners

Office Managers

Paralegals

Postmasters & Mail Superintendents

Prepress Workers

Private Detectives and Investigators

Property Managers

Real Estate Agents

Restaurant Managers

Sales Supervisors

Secretaries

Tax Preparer Supervisors

Travel Agents

 

 
Professional Careers

Accountants and Auditors

Administrative Managers

Advertising Managers

Budget Analysts

Business Executives

College Administrators

Construction Managers

Farm Mangers

Financial Analysts

Financial Managers

Funeral Directors

Industrial Managers

Insurance Adjustors

Insurance Underwriters

Marketing Managers

Personal Trainers

Producers & Directors

Property Managers

Public Relations Specialists

Purchasing Managers

Securities Representatives

Storage Managers

Tax Examiners

Transportation Managers

Urban Regional Planners

 

   

Scientific & Health Careers: Problem Solving Careers
 
Interest Areas: Scientific, Computational, Health Care, Engineering & Mathematics, Research,
Investigative, Inquisitive, Inventive.
 
Careers in this pathway include a wide variety of occupations in which individuals prefer activities that include the investigation of physical, biological and cultural phenomena in order to understand and sometimes control their behavior. 
This pathway is for students who enjoy: investigating, working to discover or understand nature, solve problems, do experiments, work with research, and/or discover new ways to do things. 
 
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES OCCUPATIONS: People in agriculture and natural resources occupations plan and work to get increased production from farms, gardens, forests and streams.  Employment Outlook: Demand varies by occupation and may depend on demand for products or on government funding.  Most openings are for technicians.  Competition is moderate for most jobs.  Technicians require skill developed with college training.
 
ELECTRONICS OCCUPATIONS: People in electronics occupations have knowledge and skills which they use in generating, distributing and using electrical power.  They must also  know the construction, installation, and maintenance of electrical parts, components, systems and equipment.  Employment Outlook: Most occupations in this group are growing, particularly as population grows.  New technologies require new skills and some automation may eliminate some jobs.
           
ENGINEERING AND DESIGN OCCUPATIONS: People in engineering and design occupations use their scientific skills and their creative ideas to plan and design land areas, buildings, machinery and other structures and equipment.  Employment Outlook: Civil, mechanical, environmental and chemical engineers will be needed to address environmental problems.  Industrial engineers will be in demand to increase production efficiency.  Engineers of all kinds are in demand, but the demand is usually cyclical.  A great demand for several years is followed by a lower demand for several years.  This happens when the supply of highly trained workers exceed the demand for workers.
 
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS: (This career area is cross listed with Social Service Careers, since many health occupations also deal with social service). People in health service occupations use a variety of skills to treat the health and personal needs of patients and clients.  Employment Outlook. The outlook is expected to remain extremely favorable for the next 10 years due to the aging population and expansion of health care industries.  Rural and inner city health opportunities will increase the greatest.  An increase is also seen for providing patient services directly in the home.
 
INSPECTING OCCUPATIONS: People employed in the inspecting occupations use scientific understanding and technical laboratory skills to perform tests for quality control, research, or diagnosis.  Employment Outlook:  Environmental related jobs and medical related jobs are increasing in demand.  Other jobs in this cluster are stable and are often very competitive, particularly those that require advanced education.  Often retirements create new openings.
 
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING OCCUPATIONS: People employed in mathematical and computing occupations use their numerical skills to solve problems, analyze results, and make decisions in areas such as science, engineering and management.  Employment Outlook: Demand for workers in computer related jobs is high.  Strong employment growth is expected.  The number of management and accounting firms that use computers is growing, also increasing demand.
 
 
Entry Level Careers  

Chemical Dependency Aides

Fitness Trainers

Gardeners & Groundskeepers

Hatchery Workers

Home Healthcare Aides

Numerical Control Programmers

Nursing Assistants/Orderlies

Occupational Therapy Aides

Personal/Home Care Aides

Physical Therapy Aides

Psychiatric Aides

Veterinary Aides

 
 
Skilled Level Careers
 

Broadcast Technicians

Cardiovascular Technicians

Chiropractic Technicians

Computer Programmers

Database Administrators

Dental Assistants

Dental Hygienists

Dental Lab Technicians

Dietetic Technicians

Drafters/CAD Technicians

Electronics Technicians

Emergency Medical Techs

Forensic Science Technicians

Irrigation Technicians

Licensed Practical Nurses

Mathematical Technicians

Medical Assistants

Medical Lab Technicians

Nurse Midwives

Opticians

Pharmacy Technicians

Pollution Control Technicians

Physical Therapy Assistants

Psychiatric Technicians

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Radiation Therapists

Radiological/X-Ray Technicians

Respiratory Therapists

Robotics Technicians

Scientific Technicians

Surgical Technologists

Surveying/Mapping Technicians

Veterinary Assistants

Veterinary Technicians

Web Page/Network Specialists

Winemakers

 
 
Professional Careers
 

Actuaries

Acupuncturists

Aerospace Engineers

Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural Scientists

Anesthesiologists

Animal Scientists

Anthropologists

Archeologists

Architects

Archivists/Curators

Astronomers

Athletic Trainers

Biologists

Cartographers

Chemical Engineers

Chemists

Chiropractors

Civil Engineers

Computer Systems Mgrs

Computer Engineers

Computer Programmers

Computer Analyst

Conservation Scientists

Coroners

Dentists

Dietitians

Economists

Electrical Engineers

Engineering Managers

Environmental Engineers

Fire Investigators

Food Scientists

Forensic Scientists

Foresters

Geographers

Geologists/Geophysicists

Industrial Engineers

Materials Engineers

Mathematicians

Mechanical Engineers

Meteorologists

Mining Engineers

Nuclear Engineers

Nurse Practitioners

Occupational Health Sps.

Occupational Therapists

Optometrists

Petroleum Engineers

Pharmacists

Physical Therapists

Physician Assistants

Physicians

Physicists

Psychologists

Recreation Therapists

Registered Nurses

Sociologists

Speech Pathologists

Statisticians

Surgeons

Veterinarians

Zoologists

 

 

 

   

 
Social Service Careers: Helping and Service People Careers
 
Interest Areas: Social, Service, Education, Recreation, Health Services,
 
Careers in this pathway include a wide variety of occupations in which individuals prefer to work with others to inform, train, cure, or assist.  This pathway is for students who enjoy meeting, working with, and helping people.
 
FOOD SERVICE OCCUPATIONS: People in food service occupations prepare and serve food and beverages and clean up afterwards.  They work for various dining establishments, restaurants, cafeterias, fast food operations, bakeries, coffee shops, institutions, etc. Employment Opportunities: Opportunities in these occupations are growing faster than the average for all occupations.  Turn over is high and there is a shortage of the more highly skilled workers.  Most job seekers can find employment in this area.  Wages can be low for entry level.
 
HEALTH OCCUPATIONS: (This career area is cross listed with Science & Health Careers, since many health occupations also deal with science skills). People in health service occupations use a variety of skills to treat the health and personal needs of patients and clients.  Employment Outlook. The outlook is expected to remain extremely favorable for the next 10 years due to the aging population and expansion of health care industries.  Rural and inner city health opportunities will increase the greatest.  An increase is also seen for providing patient services directly in the home.
 
PERSONAL CARE OCCUPATIONS: People in personal care occupations provide services related to personal appearance, and hygiene for both humans and animals.  They help people with a variety of needs including personal services.  Employment Opportunities: Job turn over is high creating many openings.  Pay is often low, but it is an area seeing an increase in opportunities.  The recreation and fitness areas are seeing growth and new interest and more leisure time is found.
 
PROTECTIVE SERVICE OCCUPATIONS: People in the protective service occupations are responsible for guarding all types of property and for the safety of people as established by law.  Employment Opportunities: The outlook varies.  Private industry demand is greater than governmental demand.  There is great demand and need for government jobs, but funding often falls short and causes stiff competition.  Many persons find employment in this field with a branch of the military.
 
SOCIAL SERVICE , SOCIAL RESEARCH & EDUCATIONAL OCCUPATIONS: Workers in social service, social research and educational occupations provide direct service to people.  Their main role is to encourage other people to reach their fullest human potential. Employment Opportunities: This is a growing part of the economy, but expansion often depends on economic progress and stability.  Occupations working with small children, school children, and the elderly show the greatest demand
 
 
Entry Level Careers