Career and Life Skills Education

Pathways

Pathways are broad groupings of careers that have similar characterisitics and employment requirements. They provide a useful framework to aid students in career exploration and can help focus on courses of study based on personal interests. See below for Career and Life Skills courses arranged by Pathway or see an alphabetical list of courses.  The five Pathways in the Renton School District are:

Arts & Communication
Business & Marketing
Health & Human Services
Science & Natural Resources
Technology & Engineering

Students are introduced to Pathways in the 8th grade with a brochure that is given out with high school registration information. As an introduction to career planning, 9th grade students have the opportunity to answer a short Pathways Questionnnaire that will indicate one or two career areas that most closely match their current interests and abilities.  All courses in the Career and Life Skills Education Department will satisfy the Washington State graduation requirement for occupational education.  In addition, some courses are identifed in the list below as "cross-credit."  This means that students taking those courses can apply credit towards a different area of requirement such as math or art.  Click here for a High School Planner that can help students keep track of grduation requirements progress.  Many of the Career and Life skills education courses are eligible for college credit. Please see the College/Tech Prep Credits page for more information.  Click on the  buttons below for individual Program Fact Sheets that include recommended classes, and employment outlook information.  Or, access the same information in booklet form.  

 

Arts & Communications      RETURN TO TOP 		   
The Arts & Communication Pathway focuses on creativity. It is about ideas and expression of those ideas in new and innovative ways through a variety of mediums.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
Design
Fine Arts
  
Jewelry Manufacturing 1-2    
Fine Arts
  
Video Production 1-8    
Fine Arts
  
Visual Communications 1-8    
Fine Arts
Yes
   
Business and Marketing      RETURN TO TOP  
The Business and Marketing Pathway allows students the opportunity to explore, prepare, and become proficient within the business field and occupations related to sales and marketing.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
Accounting 1-4      
Yes
Business Communications/Applied Communications    
Language Arts
 
Business Law    
Consumer Competency
  
Computer Program Design 1-2      
Yes
Economics - AP Macro & Micro    Yes  
Electronic Math Applications    
Mathematics
Yes
Information Technology - Introduction      
Yes
Information Technology 1      
Yes
Information Technology 2      
Yes
Journalism   Language Arts  
Marketing Advanced    Yes
Marketing 1-2 - Introduction    
 Consumer Competency Yes
Marketing Education Seminar 1-2   
Yes
Multimedia  Fine Arts  
Project Management    
Recordkeeping      
Web Site Development 1-2       Yes
Yearbook 1-4       Fine Arts  
   

Health & Human Services      RETURN TO TOP

 
Health and Human Services is about working with people. It includes an assortment of careers at all levels of education and training. Some examples are teachers, lawyers, health care professionals, child care workers, cosmetologists and chefs.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
American Sign Language 1-6    
World Languages
Yes
Careers in Education      
Yes
Child Development  
Yes
Cosmetology/Esthetician/Manicurist      Handbook    
Culinary Skills 1-4      

 
Health
Health
 
Health Sciences Career Exploration    
Health Sciences /Sports Medicine1-4      Health  
Independent Living
Consumer Competency
  
Leadership    
Parenting    
Personal Fitness  Health  
   
Science & Natural Resources      RETURN TO TOP    
The focus of Science and Natural Resources education is to provide all students literacy and/or technical knowledge and skills in agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, and the environment in an integrated setting.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
Horticulture & Landscape Design 1-2    
Science
Yes
   
Technology & Engineering       RETURN TO TOP    
The Trade and Industry programs prepare students to produce, process, assemble, test, maintain, service and/or repair products. The Technology programs use problem-based learning using math, science, and technology principles. The studies include designing, developing, and utilizing technological systems in real world experiences using up-to-date resources.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
Automotive Service Technician 1-2      
Yes
Computer Aided Design & Drafting 1-6    
Fine Arts (3-6)
Yes
Construction Technology 1-2        
Networking Technology 1-8      Course flyer  
Yes
Material Science Technology
Science
  
Power Mechanics 1-2    
Principles of Technology 1-2    
Science
Yes
Robotics 1-2
Science
Yes
Stage Technology Fine Arts  
Woodworking  1-4        
   
All Pathways          RETURN TO TOP    
The three courses below are part of all Pathways.
CROSS-CREDIT
COLLEGE CREDIT
Applied Math  
Mathematics
  
Career Choices 1-2     Consumer Competency  
Careers in the Community      
Worksite Learning