There are six Career Pathways offered at Windom Area Schools:

  • Agriculture Pathways

  • Medical Careers - Health Science Pathway

  • Manufacturing & Engineering Pathway

  • Education Pathway

  • Information Technology Pathway

  • Business & Marketing Pathway

Students choose a Career Pathway they would like to explore by taking elective classes in that Pathway.

Success is said to be the ability to achieve personal, professional, and life goals. To reach success you need to have proper planning, work hard, and have the will to do what is needed.

Windom Area School is here to help students realize their goals and help develop plans to make those goals happen.

Our goal is for all our students to be happy and successful in whatever Pathway they choose.

Pathways

What is Pathways?

Pathways is a program at Windom Area Schools used to align courses that focus on a particular career path. All students will choose a Pathway that reflects a potential career path that they are interested in. As students progress through the Pathway, hands-on opportunities to explore careers in that Pathway will be available. The goal is for students to explore their interests and find a career path that fits them and that they enjoy before they invest in post high school education.

How do you choose a Pathway?

Choosing a Pathway is a process made up of multiple activities.

Students will learn about different careers, the training each career requires and the financial rewards of the different career choices. Guidance is given throughout the student’s high school career.

Assessments will be taken identifying the students strengths and weaknesses in the different occupational fields. These assessments also help identify the students interests.

Pathways Exploration Event - Local businesses will come and be set-up in the gym. The business will have what careers they offer and be able to answer any questions students may have. This is a great opportunity to make connections to local businesses and opportunities.

Family can be an influence and a source for your student to explore career ideas with along with outside experiences.

What does choosing a Pathway do?

After the student chooses their Pathway, they are able to choose elective classes that are focused around that Pathway. Being able to choose classes that fit their Pathway gives more of a purpose to their classes. Having classes that are focused on their chosen Pathway gives the students opportunities for hands-on learning in their interests. Some classes can earn your student credits towards their post-secondary education/training.

What if you change your mind after choosing a Pathway?

What if a student chooses a Pathway and decides it’s not for them? We say that is AWESOME! Your student is not tied to a Pathway, and can change at any time. Changing means they are learning their likes and dislikes. It’s easier and cheaper to find this out in high school!

Investing in Our Youth

Career Pathways (aka Career Academies) help prepare students for in-demand, high-wage careers with NO college debt.

This Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) video explains the importance of these opportunities for our youth. Watch it here.

The development of Career Pathways at Windom Area Schools has been made possible with grant funding by:

United way

Southwesst Initiative