A career cluster is group of careers that share common features. A career pathway is a smaller group of jobs within a career cluster that use similar skills. Each career cluster contains several career pathways.
You can start in a lower-lever job in a career pathway and as you gain more education and experience the possibilities of progressing within that pathway, increase. A career pathway helps you find out how you might move from one job to another within a career cluster.
Here are a few examples of career paths:
"Therapeutic Care" is a path within the "Health" career cluster
Home Health Aide → Nursing Assistant → Licensed Practical Nurse
"Administrative Support" is a path within the "Business" career cluster
Receptionist → Office Clerk → Office Manager
"Security and Protective Services" is a path in the "Public Safety" career cluster
Security Guard → Fire Fighter → Fire Inspector
Architecture and Construction
Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
Education and Training
Energy
Finance
Government and Public Administration
Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, and Corrections
Marketing
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Telecommunications
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics