The Production & Manufacturing Institute
Career
Pathways
What is a Pathway?
UNDERSTANDING PATHWAY OPTIONS
What is a "Pathway"?
It's easy to start out your career goals with statements like "I want to be rich and famous."
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Sure, for those of you with plans to make millions as a famous movie star, a world-class athlete, a professional gamer, or a prominent You-Tuber, we won't tell you it won't happen. But let's just set up a back-up plan.
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For the rest of you, let's be realistic about how to begin. Your career is a vehicle to help you achieve your life goals. Knowing what you want from life will help you to determine the kind of career that can help you get there.
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common career pathways
PATHWAY
DESCRIPTION
education& training
career OPTIONS
4-Year College or university
Careers in industries that require professional degrees may include those in law, business, medicine, education, architecture, dentistry, and others.
Many programs exist to help students go to college after high school, but they're not for everyone. It's great to prepare students for professional jobs requiring higher education degrees. Engineers, nurses, business managers, accountants, architects and others generally require a 4-year degree.
4-year college or university
Advanced degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
professional & management
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
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Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
2-year community College
Several jobs require technical training of 2-years or less. These are often focused, hands-on skills that can be learned through focused programs that are completed through Associate Degrees, Certificates, or other short programs.
For students seeking to go to work right out of high school, the 2-year community college option is perfect.
Community college,
trade school
Careers that require specific training and certifications may be
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degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
trades
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
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Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
certificates
Careers in industries that require professional degrees may include those in law, business, medicine, education, architecture, dentistry, and others.
Many programs exist to help students go to college after high school, but they're not for everyone. It's great to prepare students for professional jobs requiring higher education degrees. Engineers, nurses, business managers, accountants, architects and others generally require a 4-year degree.
industry recognized certification
Advanced degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
professions
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
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Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
Straight to workforce
Several jobs require technical training of 2-years or less. These are often focused, hands-on skills that can be learned through focused programs that are completed through Associate Degrees, Certificates, or other short programs.
For students seeking to go to work right out of high school, the 2-year community college option is perfect.
on the job, internal
Careers that require specific training and certifications may be
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degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
trade, retail
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
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Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
military
Careers in industries that require professional degrees may include those in law, business, medicine, education, architecture, dentistry, and others.
Many programs exist to help students go to college after high school, but they're not for everyone. It's great to prepare students for professional jobs requiring higher education degrees. Engineers, nurses, business managers, accountants, architects and others generally require a 4-year degree.
internal training +
g.i. bill
Advanced degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
professional & management
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
​
Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
high school preparation
Several jobs require technical training of 2-years or less. These are often focused, hands-on skills that can be learned through focused programs that are completed through Associate Degrees, Certificates, or other short programs.
For students seeking to go to work right out of high school, the 2-year community college option is perfect.
various programs to integrate learning opps
Careers that require specific training and certifications may be
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degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
trades
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
​
Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).
preparing today
Careers in industries that require professional degrees may include those in law, business, medicine, education, architecture, dentistry, and others.
Many programs exist to help students go to college after high school, but they're not for everyone. It's great to prepare students for professional jobs requiring higher education degrees. Engineers, nurses, business managers, accountants, architects and others generally require a 4-year degree.
Relationships
Advanced degrees may be needed for higher positions. For example, a doctor will require an M.D. A business executive may require an MBA. An attorney will require a JD. These are degrees beyond the 4-year bachelor's degree.
professional & management
Some positions require a 4-year degree as a condition of employment and certification, such as an Engineer.
​
Others may combine education and experience as equivalent to a 4-year degree (e.g., some business positions).