COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS

The Owatonna College and Career Pathways are an innovative learning program, that reflects the mission of our district.  The College and Career Pathways represent an opportunity to prepare students for their future education and careers. The pathways will allow students to explore their interests and begin to prepare them for further study, training, or work opportunities within a career field.  The pathways benefit students by exposing them to a wide range of offerings that can assist in understanding what their aptitudes and interests are.

A "pathway" is a sequence of courses designed to help students explore a potential career area and meet the mandatory requirements for high school graduation. Pathways provides students and their families with a plan to connect coursework in high school with college and career opportunities after graduation.

 

The Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters & Pathways is a graphic representation of the framework organizing the foundational knowledge and skills, career fields, career clusters, and career pathways that Minnesota is using for creating programs in career and technical education.

Our common goal is for students to be able to choose from several unique pathways with an individual program, within a area of study, in order to “attain the specific knowledge, skills and abilities needed to pursue a career of their choice.”

Following the MCFCP model, OHS has identified specific areas of study  with in each pathway. There are career fields that are supported and  aligned with current course and curricula that begin to expose students to relevant content, college/university course work and career applicable certifications, and degree programs. 

 

 

 

The Career Pathways model hopes to generate the following key elements for all students:

• Competency-based curricula tied to industry expectations and skill standards;
• Sequential course offerings that provide strategic entry and exit points as needed throughout a lifetime
• Flexible course and program formats convenient for learner segments;
• Course alignment for seamless progression;
• Multiple entry and exit points to support continuing education, returning adults, and dislocated workers;
• Connections between high school and postsecondary education, skill progression, and career opportunities align academic credentials with job advancement in high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations.

 

 

Students receive ongoing support on their college and career journey through Compass. Compass provides staff advisement, college and career guidance, and social/emotional support. Our focus is on helping all students navigate their school years with positive relationships, career connections, and experiences to ensure they have the tools to succeed.

CORE CURRICULUM & GLOBAL ELECTIVES
All students are expected to complete the Core Curriculum of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PE/Health, and General Electives as a requirement for graduation. Global Electives provide students an opportunity to expand their awareness and worldview.  The Global Electives give students opportunities to connect their passions and strengths to their Career Pathway.

GLOBAL ELECTIVES
AREAS OF STUDY:

• LANGUAGE ARTS    
• MUSIC     
• PHYSICAL EDUCATION
• WORLD LANGUAGE   
• VISUAL ARTS 
• SOCIAL STUDIES

 

Careers Possibilities:
Actors, Art Directors, Athletes, Athletic Trainers, Audio-Visual Specialists, Broadcast Technicians, Choreographers, Communications Equipment Mechanics, Coaches, Dancers, Music Composers, Directors, Musicians, Photographers, Novelists, Producers, Professional Makeup Artists, Poets, Scouts, Set and Exhibit Designers, Singers, Sound Engineering Technicians, Sports Broadcaster,  Interpreters, Technical Writers,  and Travel Writers. 
 

CAPSTONES
A capstone-approved course is a culmination of the career pathway experience a student enters during high school. Capstones are designed to allow students to utilize their academic strengths, career interests, and passions using 21st Century Skills: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.  

 

CAPSTONE COURSES & DIPLOMA+ EXPERINECES
Capstone experiences serve as the culminating and integrative experience that is aligned with an individual pathway. Capstones are designed to allow students to utilize their academic strengths, career interests, and passions using 21st Century Skill. 

Diploma+ represents opportunities for the course work that builds toward attaining certifications and licenses in various Career Pathways   

• CAPSTONE COURSE
• INTERNSHIP
• MENTORSHIP
• INQUIRY PROJECT

Capstone Course

• A capstone approved course is a culmination of the career pathway experience a student enters during high school.
• The class links course work with real world problems and provides learning opportunities that engage with the community. 

Internship

• An internship is a job experience related to a student’s identified pathway of interest.  
• Students learn on the job and are partnered with a community expert.

Mentorship

• A mentorship is a job shadowing experience based off of a student’s career pathway interests that is paired with a community expert. 

 Inquiry Project

• An inquiry project is a student-led opportunity that requires independence, research, collaboration, technology, and inquiry. Projects are designed based on interests and Career Pathways experiences.

BCIT                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

AREAS OF STUDY:

• BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL SYSTEMS & ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS
•  HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & EVENT SERVICES
• ARTS, DESIGN & INNOVATION
• COMMUNICATION, MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

 

The Business, Communications & Information Technology Career Pathway encompasses an ever-changing world of technology and innovation. Within the Business Communications & Info Tech  Career Pathway, there are four identified areas of study; Business Management, Financial Systems & Administrative Systems, Hospitality, Tourism, & Event Services, Arts, Design & Innovation, Communication, Media & Public Relations. Each area of study is aligned with a different dimension of Business, Communications & Info Tech. The following page gives greater detail to help students explore which area aligns with their strengths and interests. 
 

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL SYSTEMS & ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS

 

 HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & EVENT SERVICES

 

ARTS, DESIGN, & INNOVATION

 

COMMUNICATION, MEDIA, & PUBLIC RELATIONS

HS&HS                                                                                                                                                                                                               

AREAS OF STUDY:

• HEALTH SCIENCES
• EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
• HUMAN SERVICES & WELLNESS
• GOVERNMENT LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY

 

The Health Sciences and Human Services Career Pathway puts the service and care of others at the heart of this path.  Within the Health Science & Human Services Career Pathway, there are four identified areas of study; Health Sciences, Education & Human Development, Human Services & Wellness, and Government Law & Public Safety.  Each area of study is aligned with a different dimension of Health Sciences & Human Services. The following page gives greater detail to help students explore which area aligns with their strengths and interests. 

 

HEALTH SCIENCES

 

EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

 

HUMAN SERVICES & WELLNESS

 

GOVERNMENT LAW & PUBLIC SAFETY

EMA                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

AREAS OF STUDY:

• AGRICULTURE, FOOD SCIENCE & NATURAL RESOURCES, 
• POWER, TRANSPORTATION & TECHNICAL SYSTEMS
• MANUFACTURING 
• ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION
• ENGINEERING

 

The Engineering, Manufacturing & Agriculture Career Pathway develops out of the production and management of natural resources.  Within the Engineering, Manufacturing & Agriculture Career Pathway, there are five identified areas of study; Agriculture, Food Science & Natural Resources, Power, Transportation & Technical Systems, Manufacturing, Architecture & Construction, and Engineering. Each area of study is aligned with a different dimension of Engineering, Manufacturing & Agriculture. The following page gives greater detail to help students explore which area aligns with their strengths and interests. 

AGRICULTURE, FOOD SCIENCE & NATURAL RESOURCES

 

POWER, TRANSPORTATION & TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

 

MANUFACTURING

 

ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION

 

ENGINEERING