Career Cluster : Information Technology
Building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical and professional careers related to the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services.
Workforce Region(s): Statewide Data - All Districts
Information Technology Pathways
Pathway Description: Careers in Information Support and Services involve IT deployment, including implementing computer systems and software, providing technical assistance and managing information systems. Successful IT deployment implementation of computer systems and software, provision of technical assistance, creation of technical documentation and management of information systems is critical to the success of most 21st century organizations. People with expertise in Information Support and Services are in high demand for a variety of positions in organizations of all sizes and types, doing work such as integrating multiple databases at a global investment company, enabling employees to share information between the New York, Paris and Hong Kong offices and improving service to customers.
Secondary CTE Courses
Introduction to Information Technology: This course introduces the student to the knowledge base and technical skills for all careers in the information technology cluster. Learners will study the nature of business and demonstrate knowledge of the functions of information systems in business. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a safe working environment and on building interpersonal skills needed for working in the IT environment. Students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge and behaviors of legal responsibilities by IT professionals. Students will explore a variety of IT career opportunities and develop a personal career plan to meet their career goals and objectives. This may be taught as a career exploration course in conjunction with other foundation Career Cluster courses.
Information Technology Applications: This course is designed for those students who have not mastered knowledge and skills related to technology applications prior to entry into high school. Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management, and spreadsheet applications.
Fundamentals of Computer Science: Students will demonstrate knowledge and problem-solving skills in the area of operating systems and computer hardware. This would include, but not be limited to, storage and drives, system boards, processors, memory, peripherals and networks. Emphasis will be placed on speech and client-oriented communication skills.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: Careers in Network Systems involve network analysis, planning and implementation, including design, installation, maintenance and management of network systems. Successful establishment and maintenance of information technology infrastructure is critical to the success of almost every 21st century organization. People with expertise in Network Systems are in high demand for a variety of positions in organizations of all sizes and types, doing work such as creating and maintaining the infrastructure in medical facilities that enables multiple doctors to view the same patient X-rays in real-time to determine the diagnosis and the best treatment.
Secondary CTE Courses
Introduction to Information Technology: This course introduces the student to the knowledge base and technical skills for all careers in the information technology cluster. Learners will study the nature of business and demonstrate knowledge of the functions of information systems in business. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a safe working environment and on building interpersonal skills needed for working in the IT environment. Students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge and behaviors of legal responsibilities by IT professionals. Students will explore a variety of IT career opportunities and develop a personal career plan to meet their career goals and objectives. This may be taught as a career exploration course in conjunction with other foundation Career Cluster courses.
Information Technology Applications: This course is designed for those students who have not mastered knowledge and skills related to technology applications prior to entry into high school. Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management, and spreadsheet applications.
Fundamentals of Computer Science: Students will demonstrate knowledge and problem-solving skills in the area of operating systems and computer hardware. This would include, but not be limited to, storage and drives, system boards, processors, memory, peripherals and networks. Emphasis will be placed on speech and client-oriented communication skills.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: Careers in Programming and Software Development involve the design, development, implementation and maintenance of computer systems and software, requiring knowledge of computer operating systems, programming languages and software development. People with expertise in programming and software development work with cutting-edge technologies to develop tomorrow products for use by businesses and consumers. While many of the career opportunities in this area are in software companies, large organizations of other types such as Financial Services and Business also offer many opportunities. People with expertise in programming and software development are in high demand, doing work such as creating the software that launches and runs NASA space shuttles.
Secondary CTE Courses
Introduction to Information Technology: This course introduces the student to the knowledge base and technical skills for all careers in the information technology cluster. Learners will study the nature of business and demonstrate knowledge of the functions of information systems in business. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a safe working environment and on building interpersonal skills needed for working in the IT environment. Students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge and behaviors of legal responsibilities by IT professionals. Students will explore a variety of IT career opportunities and develop a personal career plan to meet their career goals and objectives. This may be taught as a career exploration course in conjunction with other foundation Career Cluster courses.
Information Technology Applications: This course is designed for those students who have not mastered knowledge and skills related to technology applications prior to entry into high school. Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management, and spreadsheet applications.
Fundamentals of Computer Science: Students will demonstrate knowledge and problem-solving skills in the area of operating systems and computer hardware. This would include, but not be limited to, storage and drives, system boards, processors, memory, peripherals and networks. Emphasis will be placed on speech and client-oriented communication skills.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: Careers in Web and Digital Communications involve creating, designing and producing interactive multimedia products and services, including development of digitally-generated or computer-enhanced media used in business, training, entertainment, communications and marketing. Organizations of all types and sizes use digital media (the World Wide Web, CD-ROM, DVD) to communicate with existing and potential customers, to track transactions, and to collaborate with colleagues. Web and digital communications experts can find employment opportunities in organizations of all sizes and types, doing work such as creating e-business auction Web sites that allow people around the world to buy and sell items in real-time.
Secondary CTE Courses
Introduction to Information Technology: This course introduces the student to the knowledge base and technical skills for all careers in the information technology cluster. Learners will study the nature of business and demonstrate knowledge of the functions of information systems in business. Emphasis will be placed on maintaining a safe working environment and on building interpersonal skills needed for working in the IT environment. Students will demonstrate appropriate knowledge and behaviors of legal responsibilities by IT professionals. Students will explore a variety of IT career opportunities and develop a personal career plan to meet their career goals and objectives. This may be taught as a career exploration course in conjunction with other foundation Career Cluster courses.
Information Technology Applications: This course is designed for those students who have not mastered knowledge and skills related to technology applications prior to entry into high school. Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management, and spreadsheet applications.
Fundamentals of Computer Science: Students will demonstrate knowledge and problem-solving skills in the area of operating systems and computer hardware. This would include, but not be limited to, storage and drives, system boards, processors, memory, peripherals and networks. Emphasis will be placed on speech and client-oriented communication skills.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
The Perkins crosswalk of educational programs of study to occupations identifies a number of programs relevant to this career cluster: