Careers

What is a Career Cluster?

There are thousands of jobs from which to choose. As a way of organizing them, the U.S. Department of Education has developed 16 Career Clusters. Career Clusters are groupings of similar jobs and the industries to which they belong. These groupings are similar to groupings of music: pop, rock, hip hop, country, classical, etc. The clusters of music help you find the songs you want to listen to. This works the same way for career clusters. Grouping related jobs into clusters helps you find those you may prefer and makes them easier to learn about. Similarly, clusters of study provide a way to organize and tailor coursework and learning experiences around your preferred areas of interest. Click on the links below to learn more about each cluster.

16 Career Clusters

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Arts, Audio-Visual Technology, and Communications
• Business, Management, and Administration
• Education and Training
• Finance
• Government and Public Administration
• Health Science
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Services
• Information Technology (IT)
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
• Manufacturing
• Marketing, Sales, and Service
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Agriculture,Food and Natural Resources

Agriculture isn't just farming anymore. Opportunities abound in this wide open field, from working with small animals to designing new tools and machines for farming and processing foods; from sports turf management and outdoor recreation to bio-engineering new plant life. Those with technical skills and an interest in math, science, and the environment can find their places in the sun in the Agriculture, Food &Natural Resources cluster.

Learn more at: Click link - https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Agriculture.pdf

Architecture and Construction

In the building trades, you roll up your sleeves and hold on to your hat, because your work in the field can lead all the way to owning your own firm. Architecture and Construction is one of the last industries in which you can start as an apprentice and rise to the top of the ladder. Opportunities abound—if you’re an artist, you can design buildings, if you like hands-on work, you can make the designs a reality.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Architecture.pdf

Arts,A/V Technology, and Communications

The arts are all about self-expression, but unless you refine the techniques you need to get your message to your audience, you might as well be talking to yourself. That’s why the South Carolina Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications career cluster focuses both on the act of creation and on the technologies that make artistic creation and communication possible. Whether you prefer crafting the message or delivering it, plenty of satisfying jobs in the arts exist.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Arts.pdf

Business Management and Administration

One of the fastest-growing and highest-paying sectors of the South Carolina job market is Business, Management, and Administration. Why? Every South Carolina company—from small Mom-and-Pop shops to sprawling manufacturing plants—needs employees with strong financial, organizational, time-management, and communication abilities. If you choose the Business, Management, and Administration cluster, you’ll acquire all of these valuable skills while also building a rock-solid academic foundation in math, science, and English.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Business.pdf

Education and Training

Everyone wants to make a difference, but teachers may have the best claim to being able to shape the future. By helping children learn how best to make their way through life, teachers prepare the corps of time travelers who will be responsible for mankind’s fate 50 years from now. Granted, that heavy responsibility might tend to get lost in the shuffle of tying shoelaces, wiping noses, and running busy classrooms. Sometimes they just have to settle for the pleasure of working with kids. But whatever their motivation, teachers across the state of South Carolina are enjoying satisfying, well-paid careers in supportive environments.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Education.pdf

Finance

A career in Finance offers endless possibilities with jobs ranging from insurance to investment banking and accounting. For people interested in math, organization, and technical expertise, this could be your ideal career path.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Finance.pdf

Government and Public Administration

As one of the nation’s top employers, Government and Public Administration has boundless career opportunities for people with all skill sets. You can be a city manager, global imaging specialist, security specialist, computer programmer, court clerk, linguist, social worker, and, of course, that little job called President. The list just goes on and on. If you’re comfortable with organization and discipline, and you have good communication skills, the Government and Public Administration cluster may be a good fit for you.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Government.pdf

Health Science

Health Science is the fastest-growing sector of the South Carolina job market, and high demand for healthcare workers means their jobs are among the best paying in the state, as well. As the population ages and more people need healthcare services, opportunities expand for employees who like working with people and have mastered the basics in math, science, and communications. You don’t have to go to school for 10 or more years, either—plenty of good healthcare jobs require only associate’s or bachelor’s degrees.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/HealthScience.pdf

Hospitality and Tourism

There’s no better place than South Carolina to build a career in Hospitality and Tourism. The state’s natural and cultural attractions draw more than 29 million visitors every year and make Hospitality and Tourism the state’s number one industry. From start-up jobs in restaurants to high-level corporate management of multimillion-dollar hotel chains, Hospitality and Tourism offers engaging, people-oriented work in picturesque surroundings. The ultimate goal is to help people have a good time.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/Hospitality.pdf

Human Services

A career in Human Services connects people with each other. Meeting human needs is a part of everyday life, and individuals in Human Services careers are committed to improving the quality of life for people. Career choices include dietitians, cosmetologists, consumer advocates, counselors, social workers, and religious leaders.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/HumanServices.pdf

Human Services

A career in Human Services connects people with each other. Meeting human needs is a part of everyday life, and individuals in Human Services careers are committed to improving the quality of life for people. Career choices include dietitians, cosmetologists, consumer advocates, counselors, social workers, and religious leaders.

Learn more at: https://ed.sc.gov/scdoe/assets/File/agency/ccr/Career-and-Technology-Education/documents/HumanServices.pdf