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PulseA pulse illustration to indicate arts and communication information.Arts, Communications, & Information Systems

Are you good with computers? Do you like to communicate things or tell a story?

Consider a career in Arts, Communications, and Information Systems?

"Think Different." Perhaps the most memorable slogan from one of the world's greatest companies, Apple. They not only revolutionized the personal computer but also helped change the way companies market themselves and created an entire graphic design industry.

The world of Arts, Communications, and Information Systems is about creativity, expression, story-telling, and communicating ideas, sights, sound, news, and products to different audiences.

Artists have been telling stories for centuries through the stage, through music, and through paintings. Today that includes not only television and radio, and the internet has given us Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube, all opening up new career opportunities.

The world of computers has revolutionized all industries. Whether in the classroom, in your homes, or in business, the demand for workers that create and support computers, networks, and computer programming continues to explode. 

Programming and Software Development
two people working on a computer

Computer programmers and software developers create the programs that we use every day, including video games, apps on our phones, and technology that connects our homes. The demand for workers with programming skills has never been greater and will continue as traditional industries like manufacturing and transportation move into the computerized and automated world.

Jobs in Demand:
  • App Developer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Quality Assurance Engineer
  • Video Game Designer
  • Web Developer

Pathways Wisconsin Logo

Next Ten Years
  • 17.2% Job Growth
  • 4,447 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$45,538

Average

$70,828

Experienced

$104,598

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Information Support and Network Administration
woman in server room

Technology demands infrastructure and support to keep computers running. Whether large networks or data centers that need network administrators and cloud technicians or smaller businesses that need local computer and technical support, people with the skills to maintain computer systems are in high demand.

Jobs In Demand:
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Computer System Engineer
  • Computer User Support Specialist
  • Database Administrator
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Network Administrator

Pathways Wisconsin Logo

Next Ten Years
  • 11.2% Job Growth
  • 4,776 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$43,480

Average

$69,648

Experienced

$102,903

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications
Reporter

This career field includes performing as an actor in the theater or in a movie or commercial, or perhaps as a singer, musician, or dancer. Set designers, camera operators, and soundboard technicians work behind the scenes to make a performance successful. Artists, graphic designers, and photographers use their skills to create art we see in galleries, or for commercial use in advertising and marketing.

Jobs in Demand:
  • Actor
  • A/V Equipment Technician
  • Camera Operator
  • Dancer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Musician and Singer
  • Photographer
  • Reporter
  • Set Designer

Pathways Wisconsin Logo

Next Ten Years
  • 7.3% Job Growth
  • 2,921 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$26,790

Average

$45,554

Experienced

$78,380

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin

Pathway Specific Courses

Course Number Course Name Department Pathway Prerequisite Suggested Grade Level(s)
8580 AP Computer Science Principles Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Successful Completion of Algebra 1; must meet college eligibility requirements to take for college credit. 9, 10, 11, 12
3650 AP Physics Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Physics (3620) or Honors Physics (3621), and concurrent registration with AP Calculus BC 11, 12
2621 App Development Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Intro to Text-Based Programming (2620) or AP Computer Science Principles (8580) 10, 11, 12
8510 College IED (Introduction To Engineering Design) PLTW Technology & Engineering Arts, Communications, & Information Systems None; must meet college eligibility requirements to take for college credit. 9, 10, 11, 12
8520 College POE (Principles Of Engineering) PLTW Technology & Engineering Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Intro. to Engineering Design (IED 8510), or Instructor Permission. Also, concurrently enrolled in a college preparatory math course; must meet college eligibility requirements to take for college credit. 10, 11, 12
8590 Cybersecurity Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Intro to Text-Based Programming (2620) or AP Computer Science Principles (8580) 11, 12
5110 French 1 World Languages Arts, Communications, & Information Systems None 9, 10, 11, 12
2623 Game Design Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Intro to Text-Based Programming (2620) or AP Computer Science Principles (8580) 9, 10, 11, 12
3621 Honors Physics Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Completion of or concurrent registration in Honors Algebra II with Trigonometry (2250) 10, 11, 12
2610 Intro To Block-Based Programing Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems None 9, 10, 11, 12
2620 Intro To Text-Based Programing Computer Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Intro to Block-Based Programming (2610) or teacher consent, Algebra I or concurrent enrollment (2110) 9, 10, 11, 12
3620 Physics Science Arts, Communications, & Information Systems Successful completion of Algebra II (2340) or concurrent registration in Algebra II/Trigonometry (2250) 10, 11, 12