Explore Careers & Plan Your Courses
in 5 Easy Steps

    The National Career Clusters® Framework, comprised of 16 Career Clusters™ and related Career Pathways, helps students discover their interests and passions, and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college and their chosen career path.  It also enables students, parents and school counselors to develop programs of study for the student’s career and education goals.  Establishing career goals are important, because students exiting high school with career goals (even if these goals change) are more likely to persevere and complete degrees and/or industry certificates, than are students with no career goals.

1. Take a Career Assessment through the O*Net or through your account with my My Career Shines to find out the careers aligned with your interests or skills.
2. Use the results to explore Career Clusters.
3. Explore the Course Maps that may interest you.  They are aligned with Career Clusters below.
4. Use the Course Maps, Courses at a Glance, and CTE Courses to plan your high school courses.
5. Review your plan with your parents and school counselor.

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Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

The production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.
Example Careers
 Animal Science & Services, Veterinarian, Zoologist, etc.
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map that can potentially help you learn about high school course options aligned with this cluster. 

Arts, A/V Technology & Communication

Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.
Example Careers
 A/V Technology & Film, Journalism & Broadcasting ​
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map

Education & Training

Planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services such as administration, teaching/training, administrative support, and professional support services.
Example Careers
 Elementary - High School Teachers, Principal, Speech-Language Pathologist, Librarian
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Government & Public Administration

Planning and executing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.
Example Careers
 Accountant, Attorney, Top Executive, Urban Planner, City Manager, Political Scientist, Economist
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as restaurant and food/beverage services, lodging, travel and tourism, recreation, amusement and attractions.
Example Careers
 Caterer, Event Planner, Resort Manager, Concierge, Travel Agent, Restaurant Owner, Museum Director
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services.
Example Careers
 Computer Support Specialist, Web Designer, Animator, Programmer, Systems Administrator, Software Applications
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

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.
Example Careers
 Inspector, Welding Technician, Industrial Engineer, Health & Safety Inspector, Mechanical Engineer
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.
Example Careers
 Engineers, Physicist, Geologist, Environmental Technician, Electronics Engineering Technician
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Architecture & Construction

Careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.
Example Careers
 Architect, Drafting, Interior Design, Construction, Electrician, Heating & Air Conditioning
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map that can potentially help you learn about high school course options aligned with this cluster. 

Business Management & Administration

Careers in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.
Example Careers
 Business Management, Marketing, Event Planner
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map

Finance

Planning and related services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.
Example Careers
 Finance, Real Estate, Banking
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Health Science

Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.
Example Careers
 Dietitians, Epidemiologists, Sonographers, Nuclear Medicine Technology
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.
Example Careers
 Firefighter, EMT, Police Officer, Forensic Science Technician, Attorney, Judge, FBI Agent
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as counseling and mental health services, family and community services, personal care, and consumer services.
​Example Careers
 Counseling & Mental Health Services, Early Childhood Development, Family & Community Services
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map

Marketing

Planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives such as brand management, professional sales, merchandising, marketing communications and market research.
Example Careers
 Customer Service Representative, Real Estate Agent, Sales Representative, Insurance Agent, Public Relations 
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

The planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance.
Example Careers
 Air Traffic Controller, International Logistics Specialist, Urban & Regional Planner, Airline Pilot
Plan Your High School Courses
 Click here to see a sample course map​

Career Clusters™ provides an entry point for business and industry to engage with Career and Technical Education  (CTE) at the local and state level. These pathways provide opportunities for local business and industry to interact with CTE programs through internships, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and cooperative education.

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