Career Clusters

The U.S. Department of Education's Career Clusters are organized into 16 broad categories that encompass virtually all occupations from entry through professional levels. Career Clusters identify the knowledge and skills needed to follow a pathway toward career goals and provide a context for exploring the many occupational options available. Note that each Cluster is divided into different pathways that are grouped by the knowledge and skills required for occupations in these career fields.

CAREER CLUSTERS
Use the links to learn more about the 16 clusters and sample occupations:

back to top

AGRICULTURE, FOOD & NATURAL RESOURCES

This Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in the planning, implementation, production, management, processing and/or marketing of agricultural commodities and services. This includes food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products. It also includes related professional, technical and educational services.

Employment opportunities will continue to increase for those who provide and market an expanding array of food, forest, and veterinary medical consumer products to a growing world population. Continued globalization of the food, agricultural and natural resources system will increase opportunities for graduates who understand the socio-economic factors that define international markets. Graduates who know how to satisfy the diverse consumer needs and preferences in different cultures, and who have the language skills to communicate effectively, will have the best opportunities to be employed by the growing number of multinational businesses.

back to top

ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION

This Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the building environment. People employed in this cluster work on new structures, restorations, additions, alterations and repairs.

Architecture and construction comprise one of the largest industries in the United States. Based on the latest statistics, this career cluster has 13.8 million jobs. In the next few years, many new jobs will be added and many employment opportunities will result from the need to replace experienced workers who leave jobs.

back to top

ARTS, A/V TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATIONS

Broadly, individuals that work in the AV communications industry manufacture, sell, rent, design, install, integrate, operate, and repair the equipment of audiovisual communications. They are involved in the presentation of sound, video, and data to groups in such venues as corporate boardrooms, hotels, convention centers, classrooms, theme parks, stadiums, and museums. The major activity sectors in the AV communications industry are distributive service firms (AV dealers, rental companies, consultants, designers, and related firms), manufacturers of AV presentations and communications products, and large end-users.

Most observers expect the job growth rate within AV industries to be at 20-30% for the foreseeable future. In just the AV systems technician field, the industry could expect to add 20,600 jobs annually.

back to top

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

The Business, Management and Administration Cluster prepares learners for careers in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

The business management and administration services industry is projected to be one of the fastest growing through the year 2008. Nearly half of all jobs are in managerial and professional occupations, and nearly one-fourth of all workers are self-employed. The business management and administration services industry is one of the highest-paying industries. In the next few years, many new jobs will be added and many openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who leave jobs.

back to top

EDUCATION & TRAINING

This Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services. Millions of people each year prepare for careers in education and training in a variety of settings that offer academic instruction, vocational and technical instruction, and other education and training services.

A growing emphasis on improving education and making it available to more Americans will increase the overall demand for workers in the Education and Training Cluster. Employers are expected to devote greater resources to job-specific training programs in response to the increasing complexity of many jobs, the aging of the work force, and technological advances that can leave employees with obsolete skills. This will result in particularly strong demand for training and development specialists across all industries.

back to top

FINANCE

The Finance Cluster prepares learners for careers in financial and investment planning, banking, insurance and business financial management. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

The finance industry is a critical sector of the United States economy with over six million people employed in finance-related occupations. Although some of the finance occupations project only moderate growth, advances in technology and trends toward direct marketing provide exciting and challenging opportunities for careers across all areas of the cluster. In the next few years, many new jobs will be added and many openings will result from the need to replace experienced workers who leave jobs.

back to top

GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Government affects Americans in countless ways. In fact, virtually every occupation can be found within government. There are, however, some activities that are unique to government. The federal government defends us from foreign aggression; represents American interests abroad; deliberates, passes and enforces laws; and administers many different programs. State and local governments pass laws or ordinances and provide vital services to constituents. There are many opportunities in government in every career area. The Government and Public Administration Career Cluster focuses on those careers that are unique to government and not contained in another Career Cluster.

Because of its public nature, the factors that influence federal government staffing levels are unique. The Congress and President determine the government's payroll budget. Each Presidential Administration and Congress have different public policy priorities, which increase levels of federal employment in some programs and decrease federal employment in others. State and local government employment is projected to increase approximately 12 percent during the next decade. Employment growth will stem from a rising demand for services at the state and local levels. An increasing population, along with state and local assumption of responsibility for some services previously provided by the federal government, is fueling the growth of these services.

back to top

HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services is one of the largest industries in the country, with more than 11 million jobs, including the self-employed. The health services industry includes establishments ranging from small-town private practice physicians who employ only one medical assistant to busy inner city hospitals that provide thousands of diverse jobs. More than half of all non-hospital health service establishments employ fewer than five workers. On the other hand, almost two-thirds of hospital employees were in establishments with more than 1,000 workers.

Wage and employment in the health services industry is projected to increase more than 25 percent through 2010, compared with an average of 16 percent for all industries. Employment growth is expected to account for about 2.8 million new jobs.

back to top

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

The Hospitality and Tourism Cluster prepares learners for careers in the
management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services,
lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel-related services. Hospitality
operations are located in communities throughout the world.

Travel and tourism is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. Each year, travel and tourism employers around the world pay more than $1.6 trillion in wages and salaries and create 12.5 million new jobs. Beginning salaries depend on the employee's skills, education and job level at a hotel, restaurant, tourism office, recreation facility, amusement park or attraction site. Salaries range from entry-level wages to six figures. This industry is known for promoting from within and for its large number of young managers

back to top

HUMAN SERVICES

This Career Cluster prepares individuals for employment in career pathways related to families and human needs.

Based on the latest statistics, more than 7.2 million people are employed in human services occupations. Faster than average employment growth, coupled with high turnover, should create numerous employment opportunities.

back to top

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IT careers involve the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services. The IT industry is a dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment that has a revolutionary impact on the economy and society. In addition to careers in the IT industry, IT careers are available in every sector of the economy - from Financial Services to Medical Services, Business to Engineering and Environmental Services. Anyone preparing for an IT career should have a solid grounding in math and science.

Even in times of economic downturn, there is still a large market for people with IT skills in organizations of all sizes. ITAA expects continued growth opportunities within the IT field.

back to top

LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY

The Law, Public Safety and Security Cluster helps prepare students for careers in planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

Renewed national interest in public safety and security should help expand opportunities for employment in the Law, Public Safety and Security Cluster. Numerous job openings will stem from employment growth attributable to the desire for increased corporate, industrial and homeland security. Also, a more security-conscious society and concern about drug-related crimes should contribute to the increasing demand.

back to top

MANUFACTURING

All careers in Manufacturing require you to have a strong mechanical ability, specialized skills, communication skills and computation skills. You will be required to apply problem solving, make decisions, and work in a team environment. Preparation for careers in Manufacturing must begin in the elementary grades and continue through high school allowing students to gain experience in applied, realtime manufacturing situations. Students will also find it advantageous to participate in a post-high school program that will expand some skills in specific jobs that meet the requirements of the employer.

As technology advances, each worker has the opportunity to produce more, so fewer workers are needed. However, there are excellent opportunities in manufacturing where technology and career pathways provide for satisfying careers.

back to top

MARKETING, SALES & SERVICE

This Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in planning, managing and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.

According to the latest statistics, there are 16 million jobs in sales and related occupations. Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations and sales managers hold more than 700,000 jobs. Over 300,000 high-paying management positions are likely to be available over the next decade. Employment opportunities for retail salespeople are expected to be good. Individuals with a college degree or computer skills will be sought for managerial positions in sales, logistics, management information systems, marketing and e-marketing.

back to top

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS

A career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics is exciting, and ever-changing. Learners who pursue one of these career fields will be involved in planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

Given the critical nature of much of the work in this cluster, job possibilities abound even in times of economic downturn. More scientists, technologists and engineers will be needed to meet environmental regulations and to develop methods of cleaning up existing hazards. A shift in emphasis toward preventing problems rather than controlling those that already exist, as well as increasing public health concerns, also will spur demand for these positions.

back to top

TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS

This Career Cluster exposes students to careers and businesses involved in the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and products by road, air, rail and water. It also includes related professional and technical support services such as infrastructure planning and management, logistic services, and the maintenance of mobile equipment and facilities.

Transportation, distribution and logistics is a critical sector of the United States economy. Almost 10 million people are employed in transportation or transportation-related occupations. High-growth industry and career specialties offer high-tech, high-wage opportunities. This industry sector represents over 11 percent of the gross domestic product, and is among the fastest growing of all sectors. There will be a growing number of career opportunities in a variety of professional and technical occupations as well as high paid, entry-level occupations that can provide career advancement opportunities.

back to top

Direction. Decisions. Satisfaction.