Career Pathways

Follow a Career Path at BHS

Career Pathways take students on a journey into possible careers they would like to pursue after high school. Barnstable High School’s programs offer students a rigorous curriculum coordinated with strategically designed opportunities that connect classroom instruction to real-life career choices. In some cases, students who successfully complete the requirements for their selected Pathway can graduate with industry certification and/or transferable college credits. Career Pathways may culminate in a Senior Internship experience.

NOTE: All Pathway students should consider taking World Languages courses. A Four year study of a World Language with proficiency, supported by receipt of the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy in the target language, is recommended to enhance employability in all career pathways.

Explore Our Career Pathways

Business, Entrepreneurship, & Finance

Business, Entrepreneurship, & Finance Pathway: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thirty-five percent of all jobs will be in business, marketing, finance, and sales by 2026. Students in this Innovation Pathway will be well-prepared to further their education, to start their own business, or both. The courses in this Pathway will help students develop an “entrepreneurial mindset” along with many technical skills necessary for success in the business world. Students who are interested in joining the small-business economy of the Cape Cod region upon graduation as well as students who are interested in becoming future CEOs will benefit from participation in this Pathway. Through various courses in this Pathway, students will have opportunities to earn college credit at Cape Cod Community College, be mentored by CEOs and business graduate students, and achieve multiple relevant certifications such as CLEP, Digital Badges, COAs, OSHA, Certiport, National Testing, and others.

Pathway Courses:

Business & Community Leadership
Money Management
Introduction to Business
Entrepreneurship
Applied Entrepreneurship
Marketing and Finance Strategies
Business Management & Leadership

Complimentary Courses:

World Languages
AP Economics
Economics & Personal Finance
Courses in Computer Science, Culinary Arts & Hospitality, Early Education & Care, Engineering, Environmental Science & Technology, Health Careers, Law, Society & Criminal Justice, Music, and/or Creative Careers Pathway, depending on interest.

Careers:

Business and Finance Careers

Computer Science

Computer Science Pathway: Computer Science jobs are among the highest paid and have the highest job satisfaction. There actually are more computing jobs than qualified people to fill them in the United States. According to recent research, there will be about 1,000,000 unfilled programming jobs by 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth rates between 12% and 37% in computing and information technology occupations from 2012 through 2022. With this expected growth in computing, it’s easy to see that companies simply need more computer science graduates. With the growing demand for computer science professionals, our school wanted our students to be college and career ready in computer science. Students should not miss out on this opportunity that will be available when they graduate from college.

The goal of the pathway is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of computer programming including basics of game design. This pathway also serves both as college preparatory courses for potential computer science majors and a foundation course for students planning to study in other majors, like engineering, physics, chemistry, and geology that require significant involvement with computing. Computer Science improves critical thinking skills and teaches you how to solve problems in a new way.

Pathway Courses:

Computer Science Essentials
Cybersecurity
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Computer Science A

Complementary Courses:

Statistics
Applied Art
PLTW Engineering
Physics, Design Squad (8) or Robotics (8)
Street Law & Society
Business & Finance
Digital Media
World Languages

Careers:

Computer and Information Technology Careers

Creative Careers

Creative Careers Pathway: Creative careers are an important part of the growing global economy and consist of both fine and performing arts. Students electing to participate in the Creative Careers Pathway will have opportunities to engage in innovation, invention, explore new ideas, create, design, and produce works of art. Several routes are offered within the Creative Careers pathway including fashion design, studio art, journalism, art therapy, art education, graphic design, animation, and film & television.

Careers:

Fashion Design

Pathway Courses:

Fashion I
Fashion II
Fashion III
Independent Study

Studio Arts (Fine Arts & Ceramics)

Fine Arts Pathway:

Fine Arts I
Fine Arts II
Fine Arts III
Fine Arts IV

Ceramics Pathway:

Ceramics I
Ceramics II
Ceramics III
Ceramics IV

Art Education

Pathway:

Any Creative Career Pathway
Teaching Internship with an Art Teacher

Graphic Design

Pathway Courses:

Graphic Design I
Graphic Design II
Graphic Design III
Graphic Design IV

Cartooning and Animation

Pathway Courses:

Cartooning & Animation I
Cartooning & Animation II
Cartooning & Animation III
Independent Study

Recommend:

Digital Media
AP Studio Art

Film & Television

Pathway Courses:

Digital Media
Digital Media 2: B2BTV NEWS
Digital Media 2: FILM

With Either:

Production Assistant B2BTV
Independent Study

Journalism

Pathway Courses:

Introduction to Journalism
Newspaper and Journalism Studies

With Either:

Digital Media I
Digital Media II: B2BTV NEWS

Digital Photography I
Digital Photography II

Careers:

Media and Communication Careers

Culinary Arts & Hospitality

Culinary Arts & Hospitality Pathway: Courses in this Pathway are designed to develop transferable workplace and practical skills in the fields of culinary arts and the hospitality industry. Students have opportunities to earn National Restaurant Association certifications in safe food handling, food preparation, and allergens. They learn about tourism and the retail industry along with business, entrepreneurship, and marketing through the ProStart curriculum. Students apply course content and practice skills in Barnstable High School’s full-service on-site restaurant, The Bistro Café, as well as our own mobile food trailer which is fully equipped with a commercial kitchen. Students gain experience in multiple food service and hospitality roles and responsibilities as they plan and prepare for a variety of dining options, including casual dining and grab and go. Projects include menu development, cooking, baking, job scheduling, inventory, teamwork, budgets, nutrition…just to name a few. See the Wellness department section for specific course sequences and descriptions.

Pathway Courses:

Intro to Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts
Hospitality
Hospitality Internship

Complementary Courses:

World Languages

Careers:

Education

Early Education & Care Pathway: Courses in this Pathway are designed as an interactive, hands-on experience. Students learn in the classroom and practice their skills first at the Cape Cod Child Development preschool located on-site at Barnstable High School and move on to elementary schools within the district or local preschools. Students prepare career portfolios which include competency-based skills checks, writing samples, lesson plans, and certification documentation. Training in the growth and development of children from birth to five years and child psychology is put into action. Students learn the art of writing resumés, how to prepare for an interview with a potential employer, and marketable skills necessary for success in life. Upon successful completion of child development 3 students are eligible to apply for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care teacher certification and college credit through our post-secondary articulation agreement with Cape Cod Community College. See the Wellness department section for course sequence and descriptions.

Pathway Courses:

Child Development I
Child Development II
Child Development III
Child Development Internship

Complementary Courses:

Psychology
Integrated Physical Education
Integrated Art
World Languages

Careers:

Engineering

Engineering Pathway: From launching space explorations to delivering safe, clean water to communities, engineers find solutions to pressing problems and turn their ideas into reality. The PLTW Engineering pathway offers students the opportunity to learn real-world skills and solve real-world problems. These hands-on courses allow students to apply math, science, computer science, and design skills. All courses offered in the pathway count as advanced coursework in Massachusetts. All courses also offer students the opportunity to earn college credit and scholarships based on their coursework. Credit and scholarship opportunities are available based on course & pathway completion.

Pathway Courses:

PLTW Intro to Engineering and Design
PLTW Principles of Engineering
PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing
PLTW Engineering Design and Development

Complementary Courses:

Grade 8 Design Squad and/or Robotic
PLTW Computer Science
Statistics
Physics
World Languages

Careers:

Architecture and Engineering Careers

Environmental Science & Technology

Environmental Science and Technology Pathway: At Barnstable High School this pathway is a project-oriented, field-based curriculum designed to develop skills in collecting, analyzing, and communicating environmental data through authentic workplace experiences. Areas of concentration include Aquaculture/Hydroponics, Geographic Information System (GIS) digital mapping, water chemistry, energy efficiency, laboratory procedures, and natural resource conservation. This inquiry-based, hands-on program will prepare students to continue their education and/or enter the workforce in an environmental lab designed to model the operation of wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities. Student outcomes of the program include CPR/First Aid Training and certification, 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, and preparation to sit for the Massachusetts Water/Wastewater Operator Certification tests. In addition, students who successfully complete this pathway may be awarded up to 13 credits (4 Environmental Science courses) at Cape Cod Community College.

Pathway Courses:

Intro to Environmental Science and Tech
Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech I
Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech II - Environmental Impact
Environmental Science and Tech/Water Tech III - Independent Study/Internship

Complementary Courses:

Biology (CP/H) required
AP Biology
Chemistry (CP/H, AP)
Physics (CP/H, AP)
Statistics
Marine Biology
AP Environmental Science
PLTW Computer Science
World Languages

Careers:

Health Careers

Health Careers Pathway: This pathway is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in the medical profession. This is a rigorous program that aligns the world of science to the world of healing. Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Biotechnology, along with site-based healthcare safety and health practices prepare students to work with real patients at an off-site facility. Barnstable students who successfully complete their CNA coursework and medical terminology requirements can receive certification as a nursing assistant. This credential can lead to a career immediately after graduation or be the beginning of a medical career as a doctor, nurse, lab technician, and more! The knowledge gained in the science course of human anatomy and physiology contributes to success in the program, and is, therefore, a recommended course for this Pathway.

Pathway Courses:

Biology - required
Health Careers and CNA

Complementary Courses:

Anatomy & Physiology
Pathology & Biotechnology
AP Biology
Chemistry (CP/H, AP)
Physics (CP/H, AP)
Statistics
Psychology
World Languages
PLTW Computer Science

Careers:

Healthcare Occupations

Law, Society & Criminal Justice

Law, Society & Criminal Justice Pathway: This Pathway prepares students for careers in law and law enforcement, criminal justice, the military, firefighting, and many other public service occupations and is capped in senior year with the course Introduction to Criminal Justice (formerly known as Street Law and Society). There is considerable flexibility in this pathway as students create their own program within the domains of the Social Sciences (U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, Psychology, AP Psychology, U.S. History), Science (Forensics and Biotechnology, Advanced Forensics), Wellness (Beginning Fitness, Intermediate Strength Training and Fitness, Advanced Strength Training and Fitness), ELA (Writing for College, Creative Writing, Understanding Diversity, Senior Experience, Journalism), and World Language. Students in their senior year will have the opportunity to earn both CPR and Stop the Bleed certifications.

Emergency Services

Pathway Courses:

Introduction to Criminal Justice
US History
Wellness fitness classes

Complementary Courses:

AP U.S Government & Politics
Psychology/AP Psychology
Forensics and Biotechnology
Advanced Forensics
Cybersecurity
World Language

Psychology and Investigations

Pathway Courses:

Introduction to Criminal Justice
US History
Psychology/AP Psychology
Biological/Physical Forensics

Complementary Courses:

Biology
AP U.S Government & Politics
Cybersecurity
Forensics and Biotechnology
Advanced Forensics
World Language courses

Law

Pathway Courses:

Introduction to Criminal Justice
US History

Complementary Courses:

AP U.S. Government & Politics
Psychology/AP Psychology
Cybersecurity
Statistics/AP Statistics
World Language courses

NOTE:

All Law, Society & Criminal Justice Pathway students should focus on strengthening their writing skills.
All Law, Society & Criminal Justice Pathway students should consider taking 4 years of a World Language.

Careers:

Music

Music Pathway: The Barnstable High School music pathway provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a career in music and/or enhance their understanding of music through the sequential study of performance and technology. A variety of courses and extracurriculars are recommended for each pathway to ensure students receive a comprehensive and diverse experience. Each pathway also provides students with the opportunity to connect with our school and local community through performance opportunities as a member of an ensemble and/or music technology pathway. All students interested in pursuing a music pathway are encouraged to be an active member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.