Pathway Pilot Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Pathway Pilot: Career Exploration
9th Grade Advisory
Duration: 60 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Identify the connection between high school elective pathways and specific career outcomes.
Distinguish between hard technical skills and soft professional skills required for entry-level roles.
Utilize effective search strategies to find industry certifications and degree requirements.
Create a "Career Blueprint" based on personal pathway interests.
Pacing & Flow
0-10 min
Warm-Up: Career Compass
Students complete the self-reflection handout to gauge current interests and pathway alignment.
10-30 min
Interactive Presentation
Review the pathways, with a deep dive into the 4 STEM sub-sectors. Focus on the "Skills Stack" (Hard vs. Soft skills).
30-50 min
Independent Research & Practice
Students use the Scavenger Hunt guide to conduct online research and fill out their Career Blueprint Organizer.
50-60 min
Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket
Quick group share and completion of the "Boarding Pass" exit ticket.
Materials
Career Compass Warm-Up
Interactive Slide Deck
Career Blueprint Organizer
Pathway Scavenger Hunt
Boarding Pass Exit Ticket
Tech Requirements
Students will need 1-to-1 devices for the independent research phase. Access to search engines, LinkedIn (for job descriptions), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is recommended.
Discussion Prompts
STEM Diversity (Slide 4)
"STEM isn't just coding. How is the day-to-day life of a field biologist (Science) different from a civil engineer (Engineering)?"
Hard vs. Soft Skills (Slide 10)
"Why might a brilliant coder (Hard Skill) lose their job if they can't collaborate with a team (Soft Skill)?"
Healthcare Impact (Slide 5)
"In Medical/Healthcare, soft skills like empathy are often just as critical as technical skills. Why is that?"
The Search (Slide 14)
"Search engines are only as good as the keywords you give them. What is the difference between searching 'Jobs' and 'Junior Cloud Architect Requirements'?"
Pathway Quick-Reference
STEM: Science
Focus: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental. Skills: Data analysis, lab safety (Hard); Observation (Soft). Certs: Lab Tech Certs.
STEM: Tech / CS
Focus: Programming, Cyber, IT. Skills: Python, Java, Networking (Hard); Logic, collaboration (Soft). Certs: CompTIA, AWS.
STEM: Medical / Healthcare
Focus: Nursing, Med-Tech. Skills: Anatomy, vital signs (Hard); Empathy, communication (Soft). Certs: CNA, CPR.
STEM: Engineering
Focus: Robotics, Civil, Aero. Skills: CAD, Structural analysis (Hard); Systems thinking (Soft). Certs: AutoCAD Professional.
Design & Media
Focus: Digital, Arts, Journalism. Skills: Adobe Suite, UI/UX (Hard); Adaptability (Soft). Certs: Adobe Certified Prof.
Culinary Arts
Focus: Hospitality, Management. Skills: Knife skills, Flavor profiling (Hard); Time management (Soft). Certs: ServSafe.
Performing Arts
Focus: Theater, Chorus, Dance. Skills: Tech theater, Repertoire (Hard); Public speaking, resilience (Soft). Certs: OSHA Stage Tech Cert.
Pathway Pilot Slides 9th Grade Advisory
Pathway Pilot
Navigating STEM, Design, Arts, & Culinary
The Big Question
How do the classes you take today become the job you have tomorrow?
Arts
STEM
Design
Culinary
STEM: Science
Biology, Chemistry, Environmental
Careers
• Environmental Consultant
• Lab Technician
• Marine Biologist
• Forensic Scientist
Prerequisite Skills
Focus on data collection , safety protocols , and observation .
Search: "Lab safety certification for beginners"
STEM: Tech / CS
Programming, Cyber, IT
Careers
• Software Developer
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• IT Specialist
• AI Specialist
Prerequisite Skills
Focus on programming languages , logic , and networks .
Search: "CompTIA A+ entry level requirements"
STEM: Medical
Nursing, Diagnostics, Care
Careers
• Registered Nurse (RN)
• Radiology Tech
• Medical Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
Prerequisite Skills
Focus on patient care , anatomy , and empathy .
Search: "CNA license requirements by state"
STEM: Engineering
Civil, Robotics, Aerospace
Careers
• Civil Engineer
• Robotics Programmer
• Aerospace Drafter
• Electrical Tech
Prerequisite Skills
Focus on physics , CAD software , and problem solving .
Search: "AutoCAD certification for students"
Design & Media
Digital, Visual, Journalism
Careers
• Graphic Designer
• Multimedia Journalist
• UX/UI Designer
• Video Producer
Prerequisite Skills
Focus on , , and .
Career Compass Warm Up Career Compass
Advisory Warm-Up
Name:
Date:
Before we dive into our future careers, let's see where your compass is pointing today.
1 Current Interest Audit
List your top two favorite elective or pathway courses you enjoy (or want to take).
2 The Pathway Pulse
Check the pathway that most interests you right now (Select ONE):
STEM: Science
STEM: Tech / CS
STEM: Medical
STEM: Engineering
Design & Media
Culinary Arts
Performing Arts
Other:
3 Skill Snapshot
What is one thing you are naturally good at? (Organizing, coding, talking, cooking, etc.)
4 Future Goal
What is one job or career that sounds interesting to you right now?
Pathway Pilot Curriculum • Module 1: Awareness
Career Blueprint Organizer Career Blueprint
Pathways & Development Plan
Student Name:
Target Pathway:
Section 1: The Vision
Primary Career Goal
Entry-Level Title
Pathway/Course Link
Section 2: Hard Skills
Mastery of tools, software, or technical procedures.
Section 3: Soft Skills
Professional behaviors and communication traits.
Section 4: Validation
Certs or degrees required for entry-level hire.
Certifications
Education Level
Real-World Exp
Section 5: Market Research
Salary Range
Growth (BLS)
"Must-Have" Industry Skills
Pathway Scavenger Hunt Practice Pathway Scavenger Hunt
Independent Practice Guide
Name:
Date:
Search Strategist Protocol
Use these specific formulas. Replace [X] with your job title or pathway.
"Entry level [X] job description"
"Prerequisite skills for [X]"
Task 1: The Skill Extraction
Indeed / LinkedIn
List 2 technical skills and 1 soft skill found in an actual job posting.
Hard Skill 1
Hard Skill 2
Soft Skill
Task 2: Certification Audit
Pathway Certs
Find one certificate you can earn before high school graduation.
Certification & Provider
Task 3: Outlook Check
BLS.gov
What is the growth percentage and median annual pay?
Growth %
Median Pay
Task 4: High School Course Link
Which elective course at our school will help you learn these skills fastest?
Course Name
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket Boarding Pass
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
Passenger Name
Pathway (Seat)
Destination
Your #1 Career Goal
Hard Skill
Specific Tech Skill/Cert
Soft Skill
Communication/Habit
ADV-PATH-2026
Cut Here
Boarding Pass
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
Passenger Name
Pathway (Seat)
Destination
Your #1 Career Goal
Hard Skill
Specific Tech Skill/Cert
Soft Skill
Communication/Habit
ADV-PATH-2026