A career cluster is a category of related occupations. The phrase "career clusters" is used to describe the 16 occupational categories that make up the National Career Clusters® Framework. Career and technical education (CTE) programs are organized within this framework, so it also makes sense to talk about occupations in terms of how they fit into the career clusters. Explore the 16 career clusters to identify broad career categories that match your interests, then get a sense of what types of jobs fall within each cluster.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
The agriculture, food, and natural resources career cluster includes a wide variety of agriculture and agriscience careers, as well as other occupations that involve working with or conserving natural resources. Some jobs in this field involve working outdoors with your hands, while others involve conducting scientific research in laboratory settings. Jobs in this career cluster include positions like:
- Farmer/rancher
- Horticulturist
- Botanist
- Food scientist
- Forestry professional
- Wildlife protection officer
Architecture and Construction
The architecture and construction career cluster includes jobs related to the design, building, maintenance, and management of commercial and residential properties. Architects must have a degree in the field and be licensed. For most other occupations in this cluster, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training are common. Examples of jobs in this field include:
- Architect
- Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) operator
- Surveyor
- Site developer
- Electrician
- Construction worker
Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications
Creative people who love using their talents to entertain and inform others are drawn to jobs in this career cluster. Formal education, such as a degree in communication or a specific field of artistic endeavor, is often required and always beneficial for jobs in this field. There are a number of in-demand careers in the arts and communication-related fields like gaming and film production. Examples of jobs within this area include roles like:
- Journalist
- Commercial artist
- Performing artist
- Computer animation
- Sound technician
- Videographer
Business, Management, and Administration
The business, management, and administration cluster is a broad category that includes the various types of jobs that are required to operate a business. Not all jobs in this cluster require a degree or formal training, but many employers prefer to hire people with degrees. Some roles do require a specific credential. For example, working as a Certified Public Accountant requires higher education beyond a bachelor's degree plus a license. Jobs in the business cluster include:
- Operations manager
- Supervisor
- Human resources professional
- Administrative assistant
- Accountant
- Comptroller
Education and Training
If you're patient and enjoy helping others, working in the education field can be a rewarding experience. K-12 teachers must hold at least a bachelor's degree and a teaching license. Most postsecondary teaching jobs require a graduate degree, though having hands-on experience is more important than higher education for those who teach in trade schools or provide workplace training.
- K-12 teacher
- Teacher's aide
- College professor or instructor
- Trade school instructor
- Corporate trainer
- English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructor
Finance
As you might expect, being successful in finance-related careers requires strong analytics skills and meticulous attention to detail. If you want to work in the finance field, it's a good idea to get a degree in finance or business administration. Some jobs in this cluster also require specialized certifications. For example, mortgage professionals must be licensed, and securities professionals need a Series 6 and/or Series 7 credential. Examples of jobs in the finance career cluster include:
- Credit analyst
- Banker
- Financial advisor
- Insurance broker
- Finance manager
- Mortgage originator
Government and Public Administration
The government and public administration career cluster encompass jobs that involve carrying out various governmental functions. There are opportunities to work in government and public administration at the federal or local level. People who want to work in this cluster often study public administration or political science in college, but other fields are also acceptable. Common government and public administration roles include jobs like:
- City planner
- City engineer
- County administrator
- Agency administrator
- Chief of staff
- Grants administrator
Health Science
Health science careers encompass all aspects of the medical field, including positions that involve direct patient care as well as behind-the-scenes roles in fields like biotechnology and healthcare informatics. All but the most entry-level health science occupations require completing rigorous higher education programs and getting specialized licenses. Health science jobs include:
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Ultrasound technician
- Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical researcher
- Biomedical researcher
Hospitality and Tourism
The hospitality and tourism career cluster focuses on jobs related to travel, tourism, food service, and special events. While formal education is not always required to enter this field, it can be beneficial to earn a degree or certificate in hospitality management, travel and tourism, or culinary arts. Examples of jobs in this career cluster include:
- Hotel manager
- Travel agent
- Event planner
- Tour operator
- Restaurant manager
- Chef
Human Services
The human services career cluster refers to jobs with the primary purpose of helping other people. This cluster includes careers in various mental health and sociology-related occupations, as well as positions that relate to child advocacy and community services for individuals and families. Most of the jobs in this cluster require advanced degrees and licenses, though some entry-level roles only require basic training. Examples of jobs in the human services career cluster include:
- Social worker
- Case manager
- Counselor
- Therapist
- Psychologist
- Group home aide
Information Technology
Jobs in information technology (IT) deal with computer hardware, software, and systems integration. Technical expertise is the key to success in this career cluster. For many IT jobs, employers tend to value specialty-specific professional certification more than higher education. Even so, many high-level jobs do require a degree. It's a good idea to at least complete a short-term training program if you want to enter this field. Examples of jobs in the IT cluster include:
- Network administrator
- Database administrator
- Computer support specialist
- Web developer
- Software/app developer
- Computer forensics technician
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
The law, public safety, corrections, and security cluster encompasses jobs related to protecting the public and enforcing laws. Jobs in criminal justice fall into this cluster, along with other occupations that focus primarily on public safety. Most jobs in this cluster are public sector positions, though some roles in this cluster are with private sector employers. Examples of jobs in this career cluster include:
- Police officer
- Corrections officer
- State trooper
- Border patrol agent
- Firefighter
- Paramedics
Manufacturing
Any job that involves producing goods from raw materials or component parts is part of the manufacturing cluster. Skill-based trade training is generally the best path of entry for manufacturing jobs. Some employers offer on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs. Community colleges and trade schools often offer training programs designed to meet the needs of local manufacturers. Examples include:
- Sheet metal worker
- Assembly line worker
- Machinist
- Welder
- Millwright
- Quality control technician
Marketing
Rather than operating a business, people who work in marketing promote the goods and services that their employers provide. This career cluster allows people to use their creativity and communications skills to meet business objectives. Most marketing jobs require a degree in marketing, communication, public relations, or a related field. Some sales jobs do not necessarily require a degree. Examples include:
- Marketing manager
- Advertising manager
- Account executive
- Lead generator
- Sales manager
- Sales associate
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) area often involve cutting-edge research into new technological and scientific developments. These occupations require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field; many require a master's degree or higher. Jobs that require specialized expertise in any of the STEM fields fall into this category. Examples include:
- Materials engineer
- Oceanographer
- Chemist
- Geologist
- Statistician
- Environmental scientist
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Jobs in the transportation, distribution and logistics cluster involve moving people, materials, and products by road, air, rail, and water. Not all jobs in this cluster require physically transporting items; some focus on planning, warehousing, ground support, and other areas of specialty that are required to be sure that people and items can get from where they are to where they need to be. Examples of career opportunities in this cluster include:
- Truck driver
- Airplane pilot
- Train operator
- Dispatcher
- Warehouse worker
- Supply chain professional
Charting Your Career Path
Considering the various career clusters can be a good way to narrow your search for the perfect area of work. Think about this information in light of your interests and abilities, and use it to help guide you on your path to selecting your next occupation.
