Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!
Plug Into a Pathway that Will Wire You for Tech Success
We’re all wired differently. Do you dream of a career as a software designer? Long to develop cutting-edge websites or game-changing apps? View yourself as a budding data scientist? If this sounds like you, then you might want to plug into a career in IT and programming. The VUSD Information Technology Pathway offers computer-driven and tech-obsessed students a strong entryway into both a college degree and a career path in this well-paying, always-expanding industry. Students in this pathway will build and strengthen an array of skills needed in the IT and programming environment of today…and tomorrow.
What You'll Learn
From 9th grade upward, enroll in A-G approved courses to start preparing for your career in the IT/programming industry. Classes include:
- AP Computer Sci Principles (concentrator) - Year 1
- AP Computer Science A (capstone) - Year 2
What You’ll Do
Take what you’re learning in the classroom into the real world and experience for yourself all that awaits you in the always-interesting and ever-evolving IT/programming industry. Immersive and insightful experiences include:
- Guest Speakers
- Field trips to local colleges
- Interactive opportunities with local businesses
- Field trips to local technology companies such as LinkedIn, ProCore and HRL Laboratories
Who You Can Be
Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Information Technology pathway prepares you for potential careers such as:
- Programmer
- Software Developer
- Software Designer
- Web Developer
- Application Developer
- Data Scientist
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineer
- Mobile App Developer
- Cyber Security
- Cyber Security Analyst/Engineer
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Cloud Security Analyst
Industry Average Wages: $86,500 - $187,000
Projected Industry Growth: 6 - 23%
What You Need to Know
VUSD’s Information Technology Pathway offers comprehensive courses designed to give students a strong foundation in IT/Programming — and a head start on a degree and career in this always-interesting and ever-expanding field. This rewarding pathway is based at Ventura High School and consists of two sequenced year-long Advanced Placement courses, a concentrator followed by a capstone.
Students in this pathway will build core competencies and confidence while enhancing their abilities in highly valued skills such as project planning and development, algorithmic thinking, structured programming, object-oriented programming, Java, and Javascript. They’ll also benefit from insights and connections afforded by guest speakers, field trips to local colleges, and even a visit to LinkedIn headquarters.
College Credits: High school is a perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and prepare for college admissions and a future career. A great way to better yourself and improve your chances is to take Advanced Placement (AP) classes. AP courses are college level courses and tougher than the average high school class, both in content learned and speed in which they are taught.
AP classes also give you college credit if you score high enough on the final exams. With a high enough grade on your AP exam, you earn college credit that can take semesters off your college career. Colleges vary on how many credits they give for your score (a score of 3 or higher usually gives you credit) and our local colleges offer the following:
- AP Computer Science Principles: UC Santa Barbara - 8 credits / CSU Channel Islands or Northridge - 6 credits
- AP Computer Science A: UC Santa Barbara - 8 credits / CSU Channel Islands - 4 credits / CSU Northridge - 6 credits
Once you have gained the skills and knowledge in this pathway, there are many options for your next steps after high school - some you can even begin pursuing before you graduate!
1 year
Computer Networking Information Technology Certificate - Oxnard College
Cybersecurity or Game Design Certificate - Oxnard College
2 Year
Associate in Science, Computer Networking Information Technology or Game Design - Oxnard College
Associate in Science for Transfer, Computer Science - Moorpark College
Associate in Science, Cybersecurity - Moorpark College
4 Year
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science - California State University, Channel Islands
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science - University of California, Santa Barbara