Career Paths

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A Head Start to the Career of Your Dreams

All of our career certification areas are designed to teach you the skills needed to advance in a career or pursue further school/training. Your certificate shows an employer that you have special skills and training for the job. You complete your career program alongside your high school diploma, and earn both of the following:

An accredited high school diploma
A credentialed career certificate in your chosen career path

In addition to the career courses, students must also meet the core course requirements to earn their diploma. You can find information in the course catalog.

Career Certificate Paths

Child care
- Program Overview
  
  The Child Care and Education certificate prepares students to obtain the national Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and employment as a child care worker. The courses help students learn to perform tasks in a professional child care setting.
  
  Students who graduate from this program will receive a self-study CDA certificate that meets the 120 clock hours of professional development required by the Council for Professional Recognition in order to obtain the National CDA credential for the following educator pathways:*
  - Center-Based Preschool (3–5 years old)
  - Family Child Care
  Career Information
  
  Child care workers keep children safe, care for their needs, and help them with their development through reading, doing crafts, or engaging in other activities. They also communicate with parents regarding their children’s progress and behavior. Child care workers often work at daycare centers, preschools, someone’s home, or even their own home.
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Observing and recording progress/behavior of children
  - Advancement of physical and intellectual development
  - Enhancement of social and emotional development
  - Positive relationships with families
  - Commitment to professionalism
  - Effective program operation
  - Safe and healthy environments for children and child care workers
  Careers in this Field
  - Child Care Worker
  - Daycare Worker
  - Teacher Assistant
  Career Courses
  *Does not count toward the Center-Based Infant-Toddler educator pathway (working with children birth to 36 months). For details, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
Commercial driving
- Program Overview
  
  The Introduction to Commercial Driving Certificate teaches professional skills and prepares students for the exam required for the Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). The CLP is the first step in obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).*
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  
  Truck drivers with a CDL can drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of more than 3 tons. They perform maintenance checks on their vehicles, follow safety procedures for hazardous materials, and operate equipment such as CB radios.
  
  Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow from 2021 to 2031.**
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Driving safety
  - Transporting cargo
  - Transporting passengers
  - Combination vehicles
  - Tank vehicles
  - Hazardous materials
  Careers in this Field
  - Line Haul Driver
  - Semi Truck Driver
  - Tractor Trailer Operator
  Career Courses
  *The coursework does not count toward the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) required for Class A or Class B CDL, which includes behind-the-wheel training. For details on obtaining a CDL, visit https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
  
  **Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm.
Food and hospitality
- Program Overview
  
  The Food and Hospitality Certificate program prepares students for careers in food services, restaurants, and the hospitality industry. The program emphasizes the personal and professional skills used in a wide variety of food service settings. This is an excellent option for those already working in the food services environment who want to apply for management positions, or for those interested in starting new careers.
  
  The program also prepares students to take the Prometric Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) exam.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  
  Professionals in the food and hospitality industry work in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and cafeterias. Some of the tasks they perform are food preparation, serving food, assisting customers, and managing restaurants or hotels.
  
  Employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is expected to increase 17 percent from 2020 to 2030—much faster than average. Employment of combined food preparation and serving workers is also expected to grow much faster than average.*
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles
  - U.S. food service regulation
  - Food preparation and safety
  - Foodborne illnesses & bloodborne pathogens
  - Receiving and storing food items
  - Working in teams
  - Communication skills
  - How to advance at work
  - Workplace challenges and opportunities
  Careers in These Fields
  - Server
  - Cook
  - Concierge
  - Food Service Manager
  - Crew Member
  Career Courses
  *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-and-beverage-serving-and-related-workers.htm and O*Net Online, Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food.
General career preparation
- Program Overview
  
  In the General Career Preparation Certificate, students gain the skills and knowledge needed for success a variety of career fields. The program also prepares students for career college, vocational training, community college, or continuing education. This is an excellent option for students who are undecided in their career majors, but need career training they can apply in any occupation or course of study. The program stresses the personal and professional skills needed in today’s workplace.
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Advancing in the workplace
  - Communication
  - Time management
  - Creativity
  - Employment hot topics
  - Workplace challenges and opportunities
  Careers in this Field
  - Customer Service Specialist
  - Receptionist
  - Bank Teller
  - Administrative Assistant
  - Financial Clerk
  Career Courses
Home care professional
- Program Overview
  The Home Care Professional Certificate prepares students for careers in this growing field. The program teaches the skills needed to manage the personal care of patients, including first aid, skin care and muscle maintenance, and the administration of medications. It also discusses how to care for individuals with specific ailments. This is an excellent option for those already working in health care-related fields who want to advance their careers or move into a new area, or for those interested in launching new careers.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  • Employment of related careers like home health aides and personal care aides is expected to grow 33% from 2020 to 2030.¹
  
  Courses Teach How To Provide Care for Patients Such As
  • Pregnant Women and New Mothers
  • Infant and Toddler Care
  • Individuals with Epilepsy
  • Individuals with Diabetes
  • Individuals with Vertigo or Dizziness
  • Individuals with Depression
  • Individuals with Digestive Disorders
  
  Course Topics Include
  • Roles and Responsibilities of a Home Care Professional
  • Providing Nutrition and Fluids
  • Controlling Infection
  • First Aid and Medications
  • Reading and Recording Vital Signs
  • Documenting and Reporting Observations
  • Dealing with Emergencies
  • Home Care Person-to-Person Communications, Customers, and Special Clients
  • The Human Body I and II
  • Buying and Preparing Food
  • Foodborne Illnesses
  • Maintaining a Healthy Home Environment
  • Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness
  • Patient Grooming and Hygiene
  • Transfer and Ambulation
  • Home Care Organizations and Programs
  Career Courses:
  1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides.
Hospitality and leisure
- Program Overview
  The Hospitality and Leisure Certificate program prepares students for careers in the events, leisure, food services, tourism, and hospitality industries. The program teaches customer service, personal, and professional skills used in a wide variety of locations and settings. This is an excellent option for those already working in the industry who want to apply for management positions, or for those interested in launching new careers.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  The program prepares you to work in settings such as:
  - Hotels and resorts
  - National and state parks
  - Golf courses
  - Casinos and gaming venues
  - Restaurants
  - Theme and amusement parks
  - General event planning
  Topics You Will Learn About Include
  - Skills and knowledge specific to hospitality
  - Providing excellent customer service
  - Jobs in the above settings
  - Drug and alcohol use and abuse
  - Foodborne illnesses & bloodborne pathogens
  - Security and how to respond to active shooter events
  - Working in teams
  - Communication skills
  - How to advance at work
  - Workplace challenges and opportunities
  - General career skills
  Career Courses
  Hospitality and Leisure 1
  Hospitality and Leisure 2
  Hospitality and Leisure 3
  Hospitality and Leisure 4
Manufacturing
- The Introduction to Manufacturing Certificate program teaches students fundamental manufacturing concepts. It prepares them to obtain entry-level employment within the manufacturing industry. Some of the tasks that manufacturing professionals perform include taking measurements, interpreting drawings, and quality control.
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Safety and health laws and regulations in manufacturing
  - Measurements and drawings
  - Supply chains
  - Manufacturing processes
  - Basics of electricity
  - Electric circuits
  - Hydraulic and Pneumatic systems
  - Product Quality
  Career Courses
  Introduction to Manufacturing 1
  
  Introduction to Manufacturing 2
  
  Introduction to Manufacturing 3
  
  Introduction to Manufacturing 4
Office management
- Program Overview
  
  The certificate program in Office Management prepares students for successful careers in clerical positions in any type of office setting. From corporations and law firms to schools and governmental organizations to local companies and health clinics, every office can benefit from a skilled, organized receptionist or office assistant.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  
  The program is designed to prepare students to manage the day to day needs of an office and its staff. Office and administrative support workers often help with communicating office policies to new employees, keeping inventory and ordering office supplies, or even recommending staff needs and procedural changes to management.
  
  The career outlook for careers related to this field is bright.*
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Effective communication
  - Time management
  - Creativity
  - Conflict resolution
  - Dealing with difficult people
  - Establishing goals
  - Leadership and teamwork
  - Hiring procedures
  Careers in this Field*
  - Clerk Specialist
  - Member Service Representative
  - Office Assistant
  - Receptionist
  - Office Coordinator
  Career Courses
  *O*Net Online, Receptionists and Information Clerks: www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-4171.00
Retail customer service
- Program Overview
  
  The Retail Customer Service Certificate program prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in today’s retail world. This is an excellent option for those already working in a retail environment who want to advance in their careers, or for those interested in starting new retail jobs. The program emphasizes customer service skills that can be applied in a wide variety of retail settings.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  
  Professionals in retail work in clothing stores, auto sales, sporting goods stores, and other merchandise stores. Those in this field commonly perform tasks like greeting customers, answering customers’ questions, and accepting payment for merchandise. They are often the busiest during the holiday season toward the end of the year.
  
  Employment of retail salespersons has a “bright outlook” over the next decade.*
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Working in retail sales
  - Communicating with retail customers
  - Providing an excellent customer experience
  - Dealing with difficult people
  - Time management
  - Working in teams
  - How to be successful on the job
  - Workplace challenges and opportunities
  Careers in This Field
  - Store Clerk
  - Sales Associate
  - Customer Assistant
  Career Courses
  *O*Net Online, Retail Salespersons, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-2031.00
Security professional
- Program Overview
  
  The Security Professional certificate program teaches students important protection and security principles needed to pursue employment in the security and protection fields.
  
  Career Information and Outlook
  
  Some of the tasks that security guards perform include patrolling a specified area, writing reports on observations, and detaining violators. They may also monitor alarms and cameras for any suspicious activity. Guards protect people, money, merchandise, and sensitive records. For example, retail stores may employ security guards to help prevent shoplifting.
  
  Employment of security guards is projected to grow faster than average from 2020 to 2030 and the occupation has a “bright outlook.” Overall job opportunities should be excellent, especially for security guards, who will continue to be needed to protect both people and property because of concerns about crime and vandalism.
  
  Topics You Will Learn About
  - Types and factors of patrol
  - Factors of patrol
  - Basic public relations
  - Relations with police
  - Techniques for writing reports
  - Traffic and crowd control
  - Crowd control
  - Evidence, witnesses, and providing testimony
  - Perimeter, area, and point protection systems
  - Techniques for controlling access and egress
  - Badges, digital controls, and barriers
  - Security of information
  - Occupational safety and health administration
  - Fire safety
  - Emergency measures plan
  - Advanced first aid
  - Receiving and responding to bomb threats
  - Common offenses
  - Legal jurisdictions
  Careers in this Field
  - Security Guard
  - Protection or Security Officer
  - Campus or Hotel or Customer Service Security Officer
  - Custom Protection Officer
  - Loss Prevention Officer
  - Security Agent
  - Security Supervisor
  - Transportation Inspector
  - Baggage Screener
  Career Courses
  - Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers,
    on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/security-guards.htm (visited March 27, 2020).
  ONetOnline, Summary Report for Security Guards, on the Internet at https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.00 (visited October 30, 2020).

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