Working is an important part of everyone's life. Whether that work is meaningful, satisfying or gratifying or "just a job" is the difference between a fulfilling life and one that may be routine. Industrial and Technology Education prepares you for life and for a worthwhile career in a world that needs your best efforts. Rapidly changing technology requires an employee with a variety of flexible skills and knowledge; one that knows how to learn rather than one equipped with only particular technical skills. The career pathways in Industrial and Technology Education have been designed to prepare you for that kind of demanding future employment. Industrial and Technology Education in California includes an elementary through university level career pathway preparation. The experiences in these programs help prepare you for successful participation in your home, community, workplace and pursuit of lifelong learning. If you complete a sequence of strong industrial and technology education courses you will be realistically prepared for a meaningful and productive career, a key part of life. You should have clear career goals and move on toward furthering your education and advanced training. Careers in Industrial and Technology mandate a need to continue your education throughout your life. What you can learn and do in the future is your key to a successful career. Are you ready to be the individual described above! If so, a career within the Industrial and Technology Education pathway may be for you! AVIATION TECHNOLOGY Airline pilots and flight attendants are often the first jobs that come to mind when we think of aviation. It takes a great many people to design, engineer, manufacture and repair aerospace vehicles and aircraft. People who enjoy solving problems, doing very detailed work, who can understand complex technical information and have an interest in math or science might enjoy the aviation pathway. CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY Do you like to build things? Do you take pride in your work? Do you work on a project until all of the pieces fit together exactly? If you answered yes to any of the above questions then the construction technology pathway may be for you. There are many areas that you can specialize in: carpentry, heavy equipment operation, heating and air conditioning, plumbing, surveying or managing a building operation. You may choose to work on houses, office buildings, bridges, highways, pipelines or railroads. The possibilities are endless and include college preparation in architecture and engineering. DRAFTING TECHNOLOGY People working in the drafting pathway need to be able to plan, prepare and interpret various kinds of drawings. These drawings could be in the form of architectural or mechanical blueprints. Math skills, such as estimation and problem solving are important. Communication skills such as writing, reading, listening and speaking are very important and useful in this pathway since you will be sharing your ideas with other people. Areas of specialization include: Mechanical Drafting, Architectural Drafting, Technical Illustration and Electronic Drafting. Experience using computers will also be helpful. Drafters need to apply their knowledge of construction, electronics and manufacturing in the development of projects. ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY Can you think of an area that computers haven't affected already? It seems everywhere you turn people are talking about the Information Highway, hand held cellular phones that can call anywhere in the world, and of course, the Personal Assistant notepads that can send a FAX transmission while you're at the beach! This explosion in telecommunications, computers and electronics offers a wide variety of careers for those with the interest and skills needed to stay on the cutting edge of these rapidly changing pathways. GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY If your interests are in the areas of graphic design, desktop/electronic publishing, art and copy presentation, reproduction photography and image assembly you may want to pursue this career pathway. Platemaking, press operations, binding and finishing and screen printing also are interesting and rewarding careers. Commercial photography and multimedia employment can also be pursued in this career pathway. College majors in this pathway include: Advertising, Commercial Art, Graphic Arts and Industrial Design. MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY This pathway includes the areas of welding, metal fabrication, machine tooling, machinery manufacturing and product quality control. Individuals who choose this pathway may work as technicians, engineers and professionals who perform research and design, manufacturing, maintenance and service functions. They will need to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors and clients. ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY If you are interested in real power, then Energy Pathways are for you. Hydroelectric, Geothermal and Nuclear Power are all part of this exciting pathway. Careers in this area also involve the distribution of power, as well as the conservation of our energy resources. The transportation pathways include maintenance, electronic and other technical specialists whose services range from the family sedan to powerful diesel locomotives. Transportation also includes those vital career pathways that schedule, ship and deliver goods and materials around the world.