Career Clusters

The 16 career clusters are:

1. Agriculture, food and natural resources
The agriculture, food and natural resources cluster includes everything related to the creation of
agricultural products. Job fields include farming, ranching, food processing, engineering and
veterinary medicine. Some career pathways in this cluster require an associate's, bachelor's or
master's degree in a specialized field, while others train people through on-the-job experience.
The work environment is mostly outdoors, so most people who work in this field enjoy being outside.
Agriculture careers are professional paths related to farming, cultivation and animal husbandry.
These career paths involve everything from growing crops and nurturing the soil to raising livestock
like cattle, pigs and chickens. Careers in agriculture also incorporate manufacturing, marketing and
selling the products that result from crops and livestock as well as providing support and assistance
throughout the field.
2. Architecture and construction
The architecture and construction cluster encompasses careers related to designing, building and
maintaining homes, industrial facilities, streets or bridges. This cluster includes skilled tradespeople
like carpenters and plumbers but also includes jobs as varied as interior designers, civil engineers
and construction site managers. Education and interests vary from job to job, but most who work in
this field enjoy working with their hands and seeing tangible results. The typical work environment
can be an office or the homes and businesses of your customers.
The construction industry offers a variety of careers with work on commercial, industrial, private
or civil engineering projects. Whether new construction, renovations and remodeling or performing
maintenance and repairs, the construction field is a strong employment option for many. Knowing
about the various careers in construction and what they do and earn can help you decide if it's the
field for you.
3. Arts, A/V technology and communications
The arts, audio/visual technology and communications cluster includes journalists, performers and
behind-the-scenes workers who make TV, film, media and live performances happen. Studying film
or drama could be beneficial if you're interested in becoming an actor, and there are specialized
certificates and degrees you could pursue to work in technical fields like sound or A/V engineering.
The work environment can be a film, TV or recording studio or theater. Most people who work in this
cluster have an authentic passion for music, dance, cinema or fashion.

4. Business management and administration

The business, management and administration cluster is vast, covering most of the functions required
to run businesses effectively. It includes accounting, human resources, administrative support,
operations and managerial roles.
Many roles in this cluster require a bachelor's degree, and some accounting positions may also
require a Certified Public Accountant license. The typical work environment is an office, and many
roles work directly with customers or vendors. People who are interested in this career cluster
usually have strong communication skills and business acumen.
Business is a career category that offers a range of opportunities for people pursuing jobs in the
professional field. If you're interested in business as a career, you have many different starting points
you can use to learn about best business practices. You can select entry-level positions in one of the
 many business specialties or seek out higher education and training in high-level business concepts.
Pursuing a variety of business-related roles can help you determine your ideal career path for
achieving professional accomplishments with an employer or pursuing entrepreneurial goals. In this
article, we explore the different categories of business careers including lists of possible jobs you
can pursue in that sector.
5. Education and training
The education and training career cluster includes teaching roles as well as professional
counselors, school psychologists and speech-language pathologists who offer support and guidance to
students. Elementary and secondary school teachers require both a bachelor's degree and a license,
while college instructors need an advanced degree in their subject area. The typical work
environment is a school or college. This career cluster may be attractive to people who enjoy
student development or want to act as role models for younger people. If you aspire to work in this
field, it's beneficial to have a passion for the subject you plan to teach.
6. Finance
The finance cluster includes careers in banking, investments and insurance as well as those who
manage taxes and finances for businesses. Many jobs in this career cluster require a bachelor's
degree or specialized certifications, such as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal
Auditor license. The typical work environment is an office. The workers in this field usually have
strong math skills and the ability to explain difficult concepts to customers who don't work in the
field.
7. Government and public administration
The government and public administration cluster includes everyone who works for a government
agency at the local, state and federal levels. Jobs within this cluster vary greatly in their education
requirements, from a high school diploma for entry-level workers to bachelor's or advanced degrees
for those in finance, policy, tax and managerial roles.
The work environment is typically an office run by the city, county, state or federal government. A
career in this cluster may be of interest to people who have great communication skills or an interest
in helping the general public.
8. Health science
The health science cluster includes all types of health care providers as well as those providing
research, diagnostics, data and utilization support to health care facilities. Specialized training is
necessary for most roles in this cluster, including all nurses, doctors, pharmacists, technicians,
dentists and other providers. Nearly all jobs require certification of licensure as well.
The work environment is most often a hospital, private clinic or laboratory. people who are
interested in this cluster usually have a natural predisposition to help others.
9. Hospitality and tourism
The hospitality and tourism cluster includes jobs within restaurants, bars, tourist attractions, resorts,
hotels and travel agencies. Entry-level positions may not even require a high school diploma, but
more specialized roles like a tour guide or travel agent may require a bachelor's degree and
knowledge of multiple languages.
The typical work environment can range from restaurant kitchens to hotel lobbies to airports. Most
roles have heavy interaction with customers, so this is a good cluster for people who enjoy meeting
and talking to other people. It is also helpful to have an interest in the specific field you work in,
such as food, culture or travel.
10. Human services
The human services career cluster includes professionals who provide social, consumer or personal
services to people. This cluster encompasses fields as diverse as cosmetology, counseling, social
work, real estate and personal banking. The career pathways that relate to counseling and mental
health require a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a license. Those related to beauty and wellness
require specialized training.
The work environment varies greatly based on the specific career path but it typically involves an
office or dedicated workspace like a salon. The workers in this cluster usually have strong
interpersonal skills, patience and empathy towards others.
11. Information technology
The information technology cluster is home to computer-related professions, including software
development, network administration, information security and systems administration. Specialized
training or industry certifications are helpful to qualify for a specific job in this cluster.
People who work in this field often need ongoing training since technology evolves at a fast pace.
The work environment is typically an office, and an IT career may interest people with a curiosity for
websites, apps, data, wireless technology and computer hardware.
12. Law, public safety, corrections and security
Workers in the law, public safety, corrections and security cluster protect citizens. Professions
include emergency services, security/surveillance, law and law enforcement. Attorneys must have a
bachelor's degree, law degree and bar licensure. Police officers and federal agents pass the entrance
exams and graduate from special academies. Other careers require a variety of training or
apprenticeship.
The work environment can be a jail, courthouse, police station or public place where people need to
be protected. Others work in office environments. Working in this cluster may be of interest to
people who have a strong desire to protect and defend others.
13. Manufacturing
The manufacturing cluster includes people involved in the processing and production of goods. These
roles usually only require on-the-job training, but there are other pathways in safety, engineering or
quality that may require a bachelor's degree as well as specialized certifications.
A typical work environment is an industrial facility such as a factory or warehouse, often with fixed
schedules and hours. A career in manufacturing may be suitable for people who have strong manual
skills and enjoy physical work.
14. Marketing
The marketing cluster includes careers in sales, public relations, merchandising and marketing,
regardless of industry. A degree in marketing, even if not required, can be beneficial, and some
people may benefit from marketing and sales training like the HubSpot Inbound Sales certification or
the Google Analytics Individual Qualification. The work environment can be an office, a retail store
or customer sites for jobs requiring frequent travel. A career in this field may interest those with
excellent organizational and communication skills.
If you're thinking about a career in marketing or sales, you may wonder how the roles within these
industries differ. While considered separate departments, sales and marketing teams collaborate
more often, strengthening the overall effect of product campaigns. Getting a job in sales and
marketing allows you to explore a varied career path based on your interests. In this article, we
explore different careers in sales and marketing to help you choose one for yourself.
 15. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
The science, technology, engineering and mathematics cluster includes highly technical fields in
biology, astronomy, chemistry, scientific research and all engineering disciplines. All roles require a
minimum of a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, and professional engineers must also earn a
state license. The work environment can be a laboratory, an industrial facility or a field location like
a power plant. People who are interested in this career cluster are usually passionate about science
and math and are willing to continue training and education.
16. Transportation, distribution and logistics
The transportation, distribution and logistics cluster includes people who plan and move people and
goods. Some jobs require certification or licensure, such as truck drivers, pilots or inspectors. Other
jobs in logistics, engineering and planning may require a bachelor's degree.
The work environment can be an office, a factory, a vehicle or a depot. The careers in this cluster
may be attractive for people who have strong analytical skills or a passion for vehicles.

Nature Path
This path includes a range of careers involved in the development of natural resources, agriculture
and production of food, commodity production, horticulture and landscaping and other
environmental services. This includes production and distribution of oil, energy and other resources,
animal and wood products, food and agricultural products etc.

Careers in the Nature Path are distinctive in that they require the ability to work outdoors under
physically demanding weather conditions in potentially isolated locations. People in these careers
generally work in forests, woods, oil rigs, mining sites, agricultural farms, nurseries, hatcheries,
fisheries and on rivers, oceans etc.

 Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Building Path
Careers in Industrial and Engineering Technology are involved in the designing, development, installation
and maintenance of physical systems of manufacturing. In other words, all occupations that help build and
fix things. This may include architecture and construction industry, electronics, manufacturing technology,
production and repairs, engineering technology and related fields, transportation etc.
This path is ideal for people who’re good with their hands and enjoy working with mechanics or technology.
Ideally, they should have a logical and practical bent of mind, with a strong interest in science and how
things work.

 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

 Architecture & Construction
 Manufacturing
 Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics
Health Path
Health services are provided by medical professionals and organizations, and health care workers to
patients, families and communities. These include a range of services, from prevention and remediation of
physical and mental illnesses, diseases and injuries, emergency care, diagnostic and laboratory services,
nutritional guidance, rehabilitation therapy and long term home care. In short, the health services path is
committed to providing health care services to those who need them. The impact of technology has also led
to new fields opening up in this area.

 Health Science
Creative Path
As the name suggests, careers in Arts and communication have one thing in common, creativity! This path
includes careers which permit creative and imaginative thinkers to express themselves through various forms
of designs, language and literature, and all forms of media. It includes a multiple fields such as journalism,
advertising, film, TV, radio and digital media, public relations, designing including fashion, interior and
graphics, fine arts, literary and performance arts etc.

 Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Helping Path
Human services is a broad umbrella of occupations, covering elements of education, psychology, justice
studies, hospitality and other services etc. This path, which we call the Helping Path, focuses on preventing,
and remedying problems and enhancing the quality of life for people.

Working in this path requires a great level of compassion, patience and amiability. Added to that, it requires
good communication, problem solving and time management skills to be able to successfully function in the
area of human services.

 Human Services
 Education & Training
 Government & Public Administration
 Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
 Hospitality & Tourism
Business Path
Occupations in Business Path include those which involve running and efficiently managing of enterprises
involved in commercial activities. These include functions like Marketing, Sales, Finance and Information
Technology.
The path is suitable for people who are good at networking, leadership or have specialized skills and
enterprises. There are a gamut of career which are available in business as well as Information Technology.
Especially in the world where use of computers in all fields is present IT area offers several new and
emerging occupations.

 Information Technology
 Marketing, Sales & Service
 Business Management & Administration
 Finance