Introduction to Career Clusters Student Name Period The Glencoe Career Clusters introduce you to the exciting range of careers available in today's world of work. Find out about all kinds of career possibilities, the knowledge and skills you'll need to succeed, and trends and technologies that are transforming the American workplace. Career clusters are groups of similar occupations and industries. They were developed by the U.S. Department of Education as a way to organize career planning. Agriculture and Natural Resources Do you have a green thumb? Do you enjoy working with plants and animals? Are you interested in geology and mining? Are you passionate about protecting the environment? Do you enjoy an outdoor work environment? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy a career in agriculture and natural resources. Mining or drilling engineer, environmental technician or scientist Aqua-culturist (Water Sea, Rivers, Lakes, etc.) Animal breeder, trainer, groomer, or care-taker Veterinarian, vet tech or assistant Logger/lumberjack Fish and game warden Greenhouse manager/landscape architect Jobs in the agriculture and natural resources career cluster involve planning, managing, and performing agricultural production, horticulture and landscaping services, mining and extraction operations, conserving natural resource, and performing related environmental services. Architecture and Construction Are you good at making designs or models? Can you visualize projects in your mind? Do you enjoy beautiful and historic buildings? Are you good with plans and blueprints? Would you enjoy designing a park, a house, or an office building? Are you good with your hands? Would you enjoy a job that involved physical labor? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might consider exploring the architecture and construction career cluster. Architect Drafter Electrician Brick mason Surveyor
Jobs in the architecture and construction career cluster involve designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. Would you consider something in this cluster? Why or Why Not? Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications Are you interested in working in television, film, or radio? Are you visually oriented? Do you like to perform or interpret music? Is artistic expression important to you? Do you enjoy the limelight? Does computer graphics or computer animation interest you? Do you like to work with technology? Do you have a talent for writing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're probably cut out for the AAVC career cluster. Commercial artist Broadcaster/journalist Animator Broadcast technician/camera operator Jobs in the arts, audio/video technology, and communications career cluster involve designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services. Would you consider something in this cluster? Why or Why Not? Business and Administration Would you like to run a business? Are you good at working with other people? Are you a natural leader? Do you have a talent for organizing and planning? Are you precise, responsible, and creative? Did you answer yes to any these questions? If so, business and administration may be a good choice for you. Office manager Accountant Interviewer (Human Resources/Personnel) Marketing manager Administrative assistant Secretary/receptionist Jobs in the business and administration career cluster involve planning, organizing, directing, performing, and evaluating business functions essential to effective and productive business operations.
Education and Training Do you enjoy teaching others? Are you patient? Are you comfortable with public speaking? Are you creative? Do you enjoy working with children or teenagers? Do you enjoy helping people learn new skills? Are you outgoing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a great candidate for a career in education and training. Child care worker Elementary or high school teacher College professor School administrator Corporate trainer Physical trainer Jobs in the education and training career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing education and training services, and related learning support services, including assessment and library and information services. Finance Do you enjoy working with numbers? Are you good at math? Do you want to help people secure their financial futures? Do you feel confident handling other people's money? Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment? If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps you should consider a career in the finance career cluster. Credit analyst/loan officer Stockbroker Tax preparer Insurance agent Financial advisor Jobs in the finance career cluster involve providing services for financial and investment planning, banking insurance, and business financial management.
Government and Public Administration Do you value public service? Are you interested in government and politics? Would you enjoy helping people plan new communities? Would you like to work overseas? Would you be interested in joining the military? If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps you would be a good candidate for a career in government and public administration. Special forces/intelligence agent Marine, soldier, or sailor Urban planner Tax examiner Elected official (legislator) Jobs in the government and public administration career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing government legislative and administrative and regulatory services and related general purpose government services at the federal, state, and local levels. Health Science Do you enjoy helping people feel better? Are you interested in medicine? Would you enjoy teaching people how to live a healthy lifestyle? Do you pay attention to small details? Do you have an excellent memory? Would you like working in a hospital or other medical facility? Do you have a good aptitude in math and science? If your answer to any of these questions was yes, you might enjoy a career in health science. Doctor, Physician Assistant, Nurse Physical Therapist Chiropractor Pharmacist EMT/paramedic Health Educator Jobs in the health science career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing diagnostic, therapeutic, supportive, and information and research services in health care.
Human Services Do you enjoy helping other people? Are you sympathetic to people in unfortunate situations? Do you like to help people feel better and look better? Would you enjoy teaching people to improve their lives? Do you enjoy shopping and organizing parties? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might enjoy a career in the human services career cluster. Social worker Preschool teacher Counselor Home care aide Massage therapist Wedding consultant Event planner Jobs in the human services career cluster involve tending to families and to human needs. Hospitality and Tourism Do you enjoy travel? Do you enjoy dining in restaurants? Do you like to cook? Do you want to help other people enjoy themselves? Are you friendly and outgoing? Would you like to work in a hotel, on a cruise ship, or in a restaurant? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be cut out for a career in hospitality and tourism. Hotel manager Convention Manager (organize events) Waiter or waitress/bartender Chef (culinary careers) Recreation director Jobs in the hospitality and tourism career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing lodging, food, recreation, conventions, and tourism, and related planning and support services such as travel-related services.
Information Technology Do you enjoy working with computers? Are you fascinated by technology? Are you a logical and mathematical learner? Would you like to create your own computer program or video game? Are you organized and detail-oriented? Do you learn new computer programs easily? Do you adapt well to change? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy a career in this fast-paced and quickly changing industry. Network administrator/technician Webmaster Technical writer Software engineer/programmer Digital media specialist Jobs in the information technology career cluster involve the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software multimedia, and systems integration services. Law and Public Safety Do you want to be a firefighter or police officer? Do you respect the law and the rule of law? Do you think it would be exciting to work in a courtroom? Are you good at debating and winning arguments? Are you detail-oriented and driven? If you answered yes to some of these questions, you might want to consider a career in law and public safety. Firefighter Police officer Corrections officer Lawyer Paralegal Security guard Jobs in the law and public safety career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing judicial, legal, and protective services. Would you consider something in this cluster? Why or Why Not
Manufacturing Do you enjoy creating or designing things? Are you good at visualizing concepts and ideas? Would you like to work in a factory? Do you have good manual dexterity? Do you enjoy learning about and using new technology? If you answered yes to any of these questions, perhaps you would be a good candidate for a job in the manufacturing career cluster. Imagine yourself in one of these jobs: Factory production worker Instrument control technician Electrical equipment installer Quality control technician Jobs in the manufacturing career cluster involve planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities, such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering. Retail/Wholesale Sales and Service Do you love shopping? Can you see yourself as a salesperson? Would you like to run your own business? Would you enjoy creating advertisements or public relations campaigns? Are you detail oriented? Are you friendly and outgoing? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy a career in the retail/wholesale sales and service career cluster. Distribution or marketing manager Public relations specialist Retail merchandise buyer Small business entrepreneur (owner) Sales supervisor Jobs in the retail/wholesale sales and service career cluster involve planning, managing, and performing wholesaling and retailing services and related marketing and distribution support services including merchandise/product management and promotion
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Do you enjoy science? Are you good at math? Do you enjoy building and fixing things? Do you want to find answers to questions? Would you enjoy working in a laboratory? Are you detail-oriented? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be a good candidate for a career in scientific research and engineering. This field encompasses everything from automotive, aerospace, agriculture, biochemical, environmental, robotics, solar energy, etc. Engineer Architect Technician Jobs in the scientific research and engineering career cluster involve planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, and engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services. Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Would you like to fly planes, drive trucks, or pilot ships? Are you organized and efficient? Do you have good eyesight and quick reflexes? Are you good at solving problems? Are you good at understanding mechanics? Would you enjoy planning roads or power systems? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might enjoy a career in transportation, distribution, and logistics. Aircraft mechanic/pilot Bus driver/locomotive engineer/truck driver Ship captain Freight agent Shipping clerk/dispatcher Jobs in the transportation, distribution, and logistics career cluster involve the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, air, rail, and water, as well as related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management; logistics services; and mobile equipment and facility maintenance. Would you consider something in this cluster? Why or Why Not?