The Information Technology Career Cluster
Siobhan Bredin
Technology Specialist
Education Development Center, Inc.
Presentation to NAWI
Chicago, IL - May 3, 2001
© 2001, Education Development Center, Inc.
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
IT Career Cluster Definition
IT careers involve the design, development, support
and management of hardware, software, multimedia,
and systems integration services. In addition to
career opportunities in the IT industry, IT careers are
available in every sector of the economy, from
Financial Services to Manufacturing; Transportation to
Education.
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
IT Career Cluster Initiative Goals
 Define the scope of the IT career cluster:
 Cluster Definition
 Cluster Model
 Occupational Framework
 Frame the cluster based on existing industry and state academic
standards.
 Create a model which includes a wide range of technical and
academic programsalong with guidelines for assessing
competency and developing skill certificatesneeded for:
 Career entry
 Career progression
 And/or additional education
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
ITCC Consortium
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States: Arkansas, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota,
Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Utah, Washington
American Association of Community Colleges
American Greetings Corporation
Applied Information Management Institute
Brainbench
CACI
The Chauncey Group
Chicago Software Association
Complete Business Solutions
Convergys Corporation
Devry
DigiPen Institute of Technology
Gateway
IBM
Institute for Women in Trades, Technology &
Science (IWITTS)
Intel Corporation
ISTE
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
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ITT Educational Services
Jeremiah Burke High School
Knoxville College
Lab-Volt Systems, Inc.
League for Innovation in the Community College
Marathon Ashland Petroleum
Microsoft
NADSVTEc
National Academy Foundation (NAF)
National Center for Telecommunications
Technologies
National Governor’s Association
National Skill Standards Board
Northwest Center for Emerging Technologies
Oracle
SAP America
Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania
Thinkquest
Trinity Technology
WomenFutures, Inc.
World Organization of Webmasters
Consortium States - Planning/Designing/Implementing
• Arkansas
– Bryant High School
• Illinois
– Bloomington Area Vocational
Center
– Heartland Community College
• Maryland
– Lake Clifton/Eastern High
School
• Minnesota
– Northwest Technical College
• Nebraska
– Omaha South High School
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
• New York
– George Westinghouse High
School
– New York City Technical College
• North Carolina
– Guilford County Schools
• Ohio
– Auburn Career Center
• Utah
– Davis Applied Technology Center
• Washington
– Pasco High School
– South Kitsap High School
IT careers involve the design, development, support and management of hardware, software,
multimedia, and systems integration services. In addition to career opportunities in the IT
industry, IT careers are available in every sector of the economy, from Financial Services to
Manufacturing; Transportation to Education.
The IT Career Cluster Model
C A R E E R D E V E L O P M E N T/ L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N G
IT DEGREE PROGRAMS AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Examples: Computer/Information Systems Analyst,
Computer/Information Scientist, Software
or Hardware Engineer, Programmer
EMPLOYMENT
CAREER CLUSTER CONCENTRATIONS/PATHWAYS
Network Systems
Information Support & Services
 Network Design &
 Database Development & Administration
Administration
 Enterprise Systems Analysis & Integration
 Technical Support
Programming & Software Interactive Media
Development
 Digital Media
 Programming/Software
 Web Development &
Engineering
Administration
 Technical Writer
New & Emerging Applications
CLUSTER FOUNDATION
 IT Applications
 Systems
 Academic Foundation  Employability Skills & Teamwork
 Management & Supervision
 Computer Applications
 Economic
 Communications
 Ethics & Legal Responsibilities
 Safety Practices
Concepts
 Business Law, Ethics, Legal Issues
 Management & Supervision
& Business
 Technical Skills
 Data Communications
 Internet
 IT Technology Basics
 IT Technical Foundation*
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION/INTENSIVE IT CAREER EXPLORATION
IT Fluency: Career Exploration and IT Skills for Work
IT Literacy: Career Awareness and IT Skills for Learning
*IT TECHNICAL FOUNDATION STANDARDS
 Technical Writing & Documentation
 Financial Management Functions
 International Business/Technology
 Software Systems Management
 Web Page Design
 Database Management System Basics
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
SOURCES
 Quality Assurance
 Operating Systems
 IT Pathway Pipeline Model
 NWCET Skill Standards for Information Technology
 The Ohio Information Technology Competency Profile
© 2001, Education Development Center, Inc.
Model revised 2-28-01 - Version 8
Cluster Foundation Standards
Academic Foundation
 Communications
 Employability Skills & Teamwork
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Ethics & Legal Responsibilities
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Management & Supervision
Business Law, Ethics, Legal
Issues
IT Applications
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 Safety Practices
 Management & Supervision
 Systems
 Economic & Business Concepts
 Technical Skills
 Data Communications
 Internet
 IT Technology Basics
 IT Technical Foundation*
Computer Applications
*IT TECHNICAL FOUNDATION STANDARDS
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Software Systems Management
 Web Page Design
 Database Management System Basics
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Technical Writing & Documentation
 Financial Management Functions
 International Business/Technology
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Quality Assurance
 Operating Systems
© 2001, Education Development Center, Inc.
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
One Implementation: South Kitsap Career Cluster
C A R E E R D E V E L O P M E N T/ L I F E L O N G L E A R N I N G
IT DEGREE PROGRAMS AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS
Examples: Computer/Information Systems Analyst,
Computer/Information Scientist, Software
or Hardware Engineer, Programmer
EMPLOYMENT
CAREER CLUSTER CONCENTRATIONS/PATHWAYS
Network Systems
Information Support & Services
 Windows 2000 Server
 Oracle Internet Academy
& Professional
Windows 2000
Enterprise Systems
Interactive Media
Programming &
 Certified
Software Development
A+ Certification
Visual Basic
Webmaster
Professional
New & Emerging Applications
IT & Business Essentials
CLUSTER FOUNDATION
 Systems
 IT Applications
 Technical Skills
Internet Essentials
 MOUS Coursework
A+ Essentials
Digital Media
Server+
Associate Webmaster Professional
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION/INTENSIVE IT CAREER EXPLORATION Intro to Computer Programming
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Marketing and E-Commerce
Essentials
IT Fluency: Job Shadowing, Internships
IT Literacy: Career Fairs, Guest Speakers (Junior High Schools)
*IT TECHNICAL FOUNDATION STANDARDS
 Technical Writing & Documentation
 Financial Management Functions
 International Business/Technology
 Software Systems Management
 Web Page Design
 Database Management System Basics
 Quality Assurance
 Operating Systems
Adapted from Model revised 2-28-01 - Version 8
IT Career Cluster Curriculum Framework
CAREER SPECIALITIES
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NETWORK DESIGN
& ADMINISTRATION
Communications Analyst, Data Communications Analyst,
Information Technology Engineer
Information Systems: Administrator, Operator
Network: Administrator, Analyst, Architect, Engineer,
Manager, Operations Analyst, Security Analyst, Specialist,
Technician, Transport Administrator
PC Support Specialist, Systems Support Lead
Systems: Administrator, Engineer
Technical/User Support Specialist
Telecommunications Network Technician
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• Analyst, Call Center Support Representative, Content
Manager
• Customer: Liaison, Service Representative, Service
Professional
• Help Desk: Specialist, Technician
• Maintenance Technician, PC Support Specialist, PC
Systems Coordinator, Product Support Engineer,
Sales Support Technician, Systems Analyst
• Technical: Account Manager, Support Engineer,
Support Representative
• Testing Engineer
DIGITAL MEDIA
• 2D/3D Artist, Animator,
Audio/Video Engineer, Designer,
Media Specialist,
Media/Instructional Designer
• Multimedia: Author, Authoring
Specialist, Developer, Specialist
• Producer, Production Assistant,
Programmer, Streaming Media
Specialist, Virtual Reality Specialist
INTERACTIVE
MEDIA
NETWORK
SYSTEMS
INFORMATION
SUPPORT &
SERVICES
TECHNICAL WRITING
• Desktop Publisher, Document Specialist, Documentation Specialist,
Editor
• Electronic: Publications Specialist, Publisher
• Instructional Designer, Online Publisher
• Technical: Communicator, Editor, Publications Manager, Writer
WEB DEVELOPMENT &
ADMINISTRATION
• Web: Administrator,
Architect, Designer, Page
Developer, Producer, Site
Developer, Specialist
• Webmaster - Level 1&2
CLUSTER
PROGRAMMING
FOUNDATION
& SOFTWARE
STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMMING/ SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
• Applications: Analyst, Engineer
• Business Analyst, Computer Engineer, Data
Modeler
• Operating System: Designer/Engineer,
Programmer/Analyst
• Program Manager, Programmer,
Programmer/Analyst, Project Lead
• Software Applications: Specialist, Architect, Design
Engineer, Development Engineer, Engineer, QA
Specialist, Tester
• Systems: Analyst, Administrator
• Test Engineer, Tester
PATHWAY
STANDARDS
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ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS ANALYSIS & INTEGRATION
• Application Integrator, Business Continuity Analyst, Cross-Enterprise
Integrator
• Data: Systems Designer, Systems Manager, Warehouse Designer
• E-Business Specialist, Electronic Transactions Implementer
• Information Systems: Architect, Planner
• Systems: Analyst, Architect, Integrator
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DATABASE
DEVELOPMENT & ADMINISTRATION
Date: Administrator, Analyst, Architect, Management
Associate, Modeler, Modeling Specialist
Database: Administration Associate, Administrator,
Analyst, Developer, Manager, Modeler, Security
Expert
DSS (Decision Support Services), Knowledge
Architect
Senior: Database Administrator, Systems Analyst
Systems: Administrator, Analyst
Tester
© 2001, Education Development Center, Inc.
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Curriculum Framework Components
 Definition of IT Careers
 IT Career Cluster Model
 Common Language and
Framework
 Standards-Based
 Rigorous Academic
Curriculum and IT
Integration
 Authentic Learning and
Assessment
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
 Common Record Keeping
System
 Skills Certificate
 Career Plans
 Work-based Learning
 IT Infrastructure
 Employer Participation
Focus of Work: Don’t Replicate - Fill in the Gaps
• Map existing standards, curricula, assessment and
resources
• Focus development on gaps
• Refine/disseminate implementation tools/strategies to
integrate into existing IT initiatives
• Provide technical assistance to pilot sites as they:
– expand course offerings
– develop assessments and record-keeping tools
– explore credentialling options
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Products
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EWIT web site: www.edc.org/ewit
Visual Model, Design Elements, Curriculum Framework
Record Keeping/Assessment System with Skills Certificate
Compendium of existing resources
Teacher resource guide
Online courses, webcast events, professional development
supports
• Online forums/discussions
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Educators’ Website for Information Technology
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Professional Development: Online Course
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Achievements
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Inclusive Leadership/Partnerships
Communicating/Connecting/Networking
Presentations/Publications
Materials Search/EWIT
Pilot Site Planning and Technical Assistance
Model Development/Validation Study
Online Courses
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
IT Career Cluster Benefits
“Students who participate in the IT cluster at the high
school level and meet the required standards – in
information support and services, interactive media,
network systems, or programming and software
development – are better prepared than other
students to enter the workforce and to continue their
education at the post secondary level.”
- John L. Hall, Senior Vice President, Oracle University
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working
Contact Information
Siobhan Bredin - Technology Specialist
sbredin@edc.org
617-618-2916
Joyce Malyn-Smith - Senior Project Director
joycem@edc.org
617-618-2386
Linda Scott - Project Coordinator
lscott@edc.org
617-618-2170
Joseph Wong - Technology Specialist
jjwong@edc.org
617-618-2653
John Wong - TA Specialist
jwong@edc.org
617-618-2348
EWIT web site http://www.edc.org/ewit
IT Career Cluster Initiative: Reinventing IT Education for Learning and Working