Information Support & Services Pathway
Good Communicator?
What type of person thrives in information and support services? Someone with good communication and problem-solving skills and who is also empathetic, patient, and has a people-first attitude!
Information Support & Services Pathway
Students in the Information Support & Services Pathway prepare for careers in information technology deployment, including implementing computer systems and software, database management, technical assistance, and managing information systems.
Gain real-world skills through project-based learning.
Stride Career Prep* integrates project-based learning into the curriculum so that classwork mirrors what students will be doing in the workplace. With project-based learning, there’s little to memorize and repeat. Instead, students are given a real-life problem to solve and work with a team to develop a creative solution. The curriculum is taught by experienced IT professionals and includes a foundation in computer science principles.
Our Information Support & Services Pathway Curriculum in Detail
All students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes students take as part of the Information Support & Services Pathway. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
| CAREER EXPLORATION COURSES These courses provide an opportunity for students to gain insight into potential careers. | CAREER FOUNDATION COURSES These courses are building blocks that prepare students for more specialized pathway courses. | CAREER PREPARATION COURSES These courses prepare students for industry-recognized certification exams. | OPTIONAL CAREER LEARNING COURSES While not required, these courses provide an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and skills that are useful in their chosen careers. |
| IT Explorations | Computer Science Principles OR Computer and Cloud Fundamentals†† | A+ Computer Management with Exam Prep† A+ Computer Management with Exam Prep 2† | Cybersecurity |
Note: Pathway courses are subject to change.
†New in fall 2022
††New in spring 2023
Get credentialed.
In a world where competition for jobs, pay increases, and academic success continues to increase, certifications provide a credible, third-party assessment of a student’s skills and knowledge of a given subject. Students in this pathway can prepare to take these industry-recognized certification exams:**
| CAREER SKILLS CERTIFICATIONS These baseline certifications prepare students with domain-specific, entry-level job skills. |
| IC3 G5 Living Online CompTIA ITF+ CompTIA Cloud Essentials |
| EMPLOYMENT READY CERTIFICATIONS These certifications indicate students have acquired skills needed to perform a job with little or no support. |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner CompTIA A+ |
Get ahead of the competition.
We encourage students to jumpstart the job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo, the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, they connect virtually to business professionals and entrepreneurs through Nepris.***
Find a school near you that offers the Information Support & Services Pathway.
The Information Support & Services Pathway will be available in fall 2022. Check back to see which tuition-free K12-powered, fully accredited online public schools will be offering this pathway.
Choose a career. Prepare for the future.
Students in this pathway can prepare for a wide variety of careers in the field of information support, including:
Computer Support Specialist
Computer network support specialists (also called technical support specialists) analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network problems. They play an important role in the routine maintenance of their organization’s networks, such as performing file backups on the network. They may also staff help desks that document and resolve users’ IT-related issues.
2021 Median Salary
$57,910
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Certification, such as NOCTI Computer Networking Fundamentals
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 29, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm.
Computer Network Support Specialist
Computer network support specialists (also called technical support specialists) analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network problems. They play an important role in the routine maintenance of their organization’s networks, such as performing file backups on the network. They may also staff help desks that document and resolve users’ IT-related issues.
2021 Median Salary
$57,910
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Certification, such as NOCTI Computer Networking Fundamentals
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 29, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm.
Technical Writer
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. After a product is released, technical writers also may work with product liability specialists and customer-service managers to improve the end-user experience through product design changes.
2021 Median Salary
$78,060
Expected Job Growth Rate for 2020–2030
Faster than average
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
This data reflects the information available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook on June 29, 2022. To learn more about this occupation, visit bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm.
FAQs
A college degree is not required for most computer support specialist positions. However, it is helpful to have relevant certifications, such as the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) certification, as well as relevant coursework and experience. The Information Support & Services Pathway is excellent preparation for entering the workforce as a computer support specialist, and we help prepare students to take the IC3 certification exam. Membership in Business Professionals of America (BPA) is included in this tuition-free program.*** BPA sponsors competitions in information systems; winning one of these competitions would certainly bolster any résumé!
Classes in computer science, computer management, and cybersecurity are helpful. In addition, you can compete in hackathons, participate in IT-related student clubs, and take relevant industry certification exams. And if possible, get an internship! An internship as a software tester is excellent preparation for a career in information support and services.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
Information Technology (IT)
Learn more >
*Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. Some schools offer career exploration in middle school.
**Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
***Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.