Delaware Pathways connects students, communities, and employers through high-quality career pathways.
Delaware Pathways gives students the tools to explore careers, develop real skills, and plan for life after graduation. Whether you are in middle school just starting to think about what interests you, or in high school ready to dive into a career pathway, there is a place for you.
For families, Delaware Pathways is a resource to help your student make informed decisions about their education and career goals, with support at every step.
Audience Paths
FOR STUDENTS
Explore Careers While You Are Still in School
FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Help Your Student Plan Ahead
CAREER EXPLORATION
Find What Fits
How Career Pathways Work
Your Pathway Journey
A career pathway is a structured sequence of courses, experiences, and credentials that connects what you learn in school to a specific career area. Pathways are organized into 14 career clusters, each representing a major sector of the economy.
Here is how it works:
Middle School (Grades 7-8)
Explore
Career exploration begins in middle school. Students take introductory CTE courses that expose them to all career clusters, helping them discover interests and strengths before they have to choose a direction.
High School (Grades 9-12)
Choose and Build
After High School
Launch
What Students Gain
What You Can Earn Along the Way
- Early college credits through dual enrollment, articulated credit, and advanced placement
- Industry-recognized credentials valued by Delaware employers
- Work-based learning experience through internships, apprenticeships, and clinical placements
- Membership in Career & Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) with access to leadership development and competitive events at the state and national level
- A personalized educational plan with grade-level guidance from 7th through 12th grade
Resources
EDUCATIONAL PLANNING
Create Your Educational Plan
WORK-BASED LEARNING
Gain Real Work Experience
COLLEGE ACCESS
Plan for Postsecondary Success
Career and Technical Student Organizations
Join a Student Organization
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) give students hands-on leadership experience, access to competitive events, and connections to peers and professionals in their career area. Delaware offers eight active CTSOs:
- BPA (Business Professionals of America)
- DECA (marketing, finance, hospitality, management)
- Educators Rising (future teachers)
- FFA (agriculture, food, natural resources)
- HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
- SkillsUSA (trade, technical, and skilled service occupations)
- TSA (Technology Student Association)
In SY 2023-2024, 9,579 Delaware students participated in CTSOs, with 116 placing in national competitions.
Advance Your Career After Graduation
Next Steps After High School
Your pathway does not end at graduation. Delaware offers multiple routes to continue building your career:
- Explore Delaware colleges and universities
- Explore registered apprenticeships
- Enroll in adult education through Groves or Delaware Tech
- Seek employment through Delaware JobLink
- Apply for financial aid and fund your postsecondary education
Language as a Career Skill
Develop Language as a Career Skill
Frequently Asked Questions
A career pathway is a planned sequence of CTE courses within a career cluster that builds your knowledge and skills over time. Pathways combine classroom learning with real-world experiences like internships, credentials, and early college credit.
Career exploration begins in middle school (grades 7-8) with introductory CTE courses. In high school (grades 9-12), students choose a specific pathway and begin building toward credentials and postsecondary goals.
CTE and college preparation go hand in hand. CTE students can earn early college credits, and 97.8% of CTE concentrators and completers graduated on time in SY 2023-2024. Many CTE students go directly to two- or four-year colleges.
Delaware offers 120+ programs of study organized across 14 career clusters, covering fields from health science and information technology to agriculture, construction, and the arts. Programs are available at 66 high schools across 31 districts and charter schools.
Students can participate in internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other employer-connected experiences through the Office of Work-Based Learning at Delaware Technical Community College. These are supervised experiences aligned to the student’s CTE program of study.
CTE programs are part of public education in Delaware and are available at no additional tuition cost. Some programs may have fees for specific certifications or materials, which vary by school and program.