Poway Unified School District holds that college, encompassing any kind of post-secondary education, and career preparation are usually necessary for career readiness.  However, college readiness, if defined as academic preparation, is not sufficient for career success.  Career Readiness encompasses academic skills plus additional preparation in areas such as collaboration, communication, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, among others.  It also requires application of knowledge and the development of technical skills.  Career Technical Education serves as a vehicle for the development of essential skills and the application of learned concepts to the world outside of the classroom walls.