Career Exploratory
Instructor: Mrs. Katie Ward
Visit the Teacher WebsiteExplore Careers and Build Skills for the Future
Career Exploratory gives 9th- and 10th-grade students an opportunity to experience Enoree’s programs before choosing a full career pathway. Students explore their interests, identify their strengths, develop professional skills, and gain a better understanding of the education and training connected to different careers.
This one-semester course carries two high school credits. Students earn one credit for Career Exploratory and one credit for Advanced Personal Finance. The course combines career exploration, hands-on program rotations, employability skills, and practical financial knowledge students can use throughout high school and adulthood.
Career Exploratory is the only Enoree course currently available to 9th-grade students. Students may attend during either the morning or afternoon session in the fall or spring semester.
Course at a Glance
- Open to 9th- and 10th-grade students
- One-semester course offered in the fall and spring
- Available during the morning or afternoon session
- Two high school credits
- No class or program fee
Preparing for a Full Program
Students who successfully earn both course credits receive one additional point when applying for an Enoree full-program placement for the following school year.
Career Exploratory
1 High School Credit
Career Exploratory is designed to help students make informed decisions about future career and technical education programs. The goal is to connect students with programs that match their interests, strengths, abilities, and long-term goals.
Students are introduced to a variety of career fields by rotating through Enoree programs and participating in hands-on learning experiences. These rotations allow students to see the learning environment, explore program expectations, interact with instructors, and gain a clearer understanding of the skills used in each field.
Based on individual interests and goals, students may shadow up to seven different programs for approximately one week each. After completing the course, students may apply for one of Enoree’s one- or two-year programs for the following school year.
Professional and Employability Skills
In addition to exploring career pathways, students learn skills that can help them succeed in school, the workplace, and future training programs. Instruction includes:
- Interview preparation and professional communication
- Résumé development
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management and organization
- Workplace behavior and professional expectations
- Career planning and goal setting
Students who successfully complete the required coursework may have the opportunity to earn a Microburst employability skills credential.
Career Program Rotations
Students explore a variety of Enoree Career Center programs based on availability, scheduling, interests, and individual career goals.
How Rotations Work
Students do not necessarily rotate through every program listed above. Based on their interests and career goals, students may explore up to seven different programs, typically spending about one week in each area. Rotation schedules are developed based on student interests, program availability, instructional schedules, and other placement considerations.
Advanced Personal Finance
1 High School Credit
Practical Financial Skills
Advanced Personal Finance provides an in-depth study of the principles students need to make responsible financial decisions. Through practical and experiential activities, students learn how personal choices, education, employment, credit, taxes, housing, and financial planning affect their future.
Students develop tools and strategies for living and working within a changing economy and global marketplace. Course topics include:
- Creating and managing a budget
- Banking and financial services
- Managing credit and debt
- Computing earnings and taxes
- Saving and investing
- Reducing personal financial risk
- Renting or purchasing housing
- Paying for postsecondary education and training
- Consumer protection laws
- Internet safety and cybersecurity
Upon successful completion of the course, students may have the opportunity to demonstrate career readiness by earning an approved industry-recognized credential.
Credits and Graduation Requirements
Advanced Personal Finance Credit
The Advanced Personal Finance credit satisfies South Carolina’s one-half-credit Personal Finance graduation requirement. The remaining one-half credit counts as an elective toward graduation requirements.
Career Exploratory Credit
The Career Exploratory credit may fulfill the CATE/Foreign Language requirement for South Carolina high school graduation.
College admission note: Most four-year colleges do not accept career center courses as substitutes for foreign language courses required for college admission. Students should review graduation and college admission requirements with their school counselor.