Career Clusters

There are 16 different Career Clusters. The clusters provide an organizational framework for students to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for choosing a career pathway that can lead them to success in high school, college, and career. Each cluster is listed below with a brief description of related career paths and examples of careers found in that cluster. Visit www.onetonline.org for a more extensive list of career options.

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources - Focuses on 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.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Veterinary Technologists and Technicians, Environmental Engineers, Pest Control Workers, Agricultural Inspectors, Log Graders and Scalers, Fish and Game Wardens, Soil and Water Conservationists, Biochemists and Biophysicists, Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

Architecture and Construction - Careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Construction Managers, Carpet Installers, Electricians, Floor Sanders and Finishers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Roofers, Stonemasons, Architectural and Civil Drafters, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Surveyors, Mechanical Door Repairers.

Arts, AV Technology, and Communication - Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Computer Programmers, Choreographers, Graphic Designers, Historians, Multimedia Artists and Animators, Photographers, Court Reporters, Radio and Television Announcers, Data Entry Keyers, Desktop Publishers, Sound Engineering Technicians, Artists and Related Workers.

Business Management and Administration - Careers in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Accountants and Auditors, Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants, Chief Executives, Financial Analysts, Financial Managers, Statisticians, Human Resources Specialists, Geothermal Production Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers, Cost Estimators.

Education and Training - Planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Coaches and Scouts, Distance Learning Coordinators, Fitness and Wellness Coordinators, Adapted Physical Education Specialists, Dietitians and Nutritionists, Interpreters and Translators, Teachers and Instructors, Tutors, School Psychologists, Education Administrators.

Finance - Planning, services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Bill and Account Collectors, Energy Brokers, Investment Fund Managers, Personal Financial Advisors, Risk Management Specialists, Securities and Commodities Traders, Insurance Sales Agents, Telemarketers, Actuaries, Loan Counselors, Investment Underwriters.

Government and Public Administration - Planning and performing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Emergency Management Directors, Legislators, Public Relations Specialists, Political Scientists, Special Forces, Infantry, City and Regional Planning Aides, Climate Change Analysts, Urban and Regional Planners, Compliance Officers, Licensing Examiners and Inspectors.

Health Science - Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Biomedical Engineers, Clinical Data Managers, Pharmacists, Athletic Trainers, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians, Physician Assistants, Radiologists, Surgical Technologists.

Hospitality and Tourism - The management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Concierges, Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks, Travel Guides, Travel Agents, Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners, Food Service Managers, Food Preparation Workers, Food Servers, Restaurant Hosts and Hostesses, Gaming Managers.

Human Services - 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.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Customer Service Representatives, Marketing Managers, Clergy, Healthcare Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, Rehabilitation Counselors, Childcare Workers, Barbers, Manicurists and Pedicurists.

Information Technology - 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.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Business Intelligence Analysts, Web Administrators, Computer Programmers, Database Administrators, Computer Hardware Engineers, Telecommunications Engineering Specialists, Video Game Designers, Software Developers, Information Security Analysts.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security - Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Child, Family, and School Social Workers, Correctional Officers and Jailers, Security Guards, Firefighters, Forest Firefighters, Animal Control Workers, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Workers, Lawyers, Legal Secretaries, Intelligence Analysts, Retail Loss Prevention Specialists.

Manufacturing - 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.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Automotive Specialty Technicians, Civil Engineering Technicians, Electrical Engineering Technicians, Home Appliance Repairers, Machinery Maintenance Workers, Medical Equipment Repairers, Photonics Technicians, Robotics Technicians, Jewelers, Machinists.

Marketing - Planning, managing and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Customer Service Representatives, Office Clerks, Retail Salespersons, Sales Managers, Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists, Cashiers, Driver/Sales Workers, Green Marketers, Search Marketing Strategists, Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - 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.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Aerospace Engineers, Automotive Engineering Technicians, Automotive Engineers, Biochemical Engineers, Biomedical Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineering Technologists, Energy Engineers, Fuel Cell Engineers, Wind Energy Engineers.

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics - Planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance.

Examples of careers found in this cluster - Automotive Master Mechanics, Automotive Speciality Technicians, Logistics Analysts, Billing and Posting Clerks, Commercial Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, Transportation Planners, Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks, Supply Chain Managers.