The Architecture and Construction career cluster prepares learners for careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment. People employed in these fields work on new structures, restorations, additions, alterations and repairs.

This career cluster is divided into three pathways:

• Design/Pre-Construction

• Construction

• Maintenance/Operations

Design/Pre-Construction

People with careers in design and pre-construction create our future! They turn a concept into a set of plans. Their plans guide other construction professionals as they continue the building process.

Sample occupations include:

• Architect

• Computer Information Systems Manager/Designer

• Computer-Aided Drafter (CAD)

• Landscape Designer

• Mechanical Engineer

• Preservationist

• Renderer (traditional and computer)

• Surveyor

• Urban Planner/Designer

Construction

Employees in construction literally build our future! These are the people who build and remodel houses, apartments, industrial buildings, warehouses, office buildings, churches, schools and recreational facilities. This pathway also includes the builders of highways, streets, bridges, tunnels and airports as well as power plants, chemical plants, refineries and mills.

Sample occupations include:

• Carpenter

• Education and Training Director

• Electrician

• General Contractor

• Iron/Metalworker

• Pipe Fitter

• Project Inspector

• Project Manager

• Safety Director

Maintenance/Operations

Employees in maintenance and operations keep our future intact! These are the people who unload, inspect, and move new equipment into position. They determine the optimal placement of machines in a plant, assemble machinery, install machinery, repair machinery and perform preventive maintenance. They detect, diagnose and correct minor problems on machinery. They keep the structure of an establishment in good repair. They maintain the smooth operation of refineries, power plants, chemical plants and mills.

Sample occupations include:

• Boilermaker

• Demolition Engineer

• Environmental Engineer

• Equipment Operator

• Highway Worker

• Maintenance Planner/Scheduler

• Millwright

• Specialty Contractor

• Thermal Control Technician

In order to make a plan for your future career goals, you need to know how to get there and make sure it is a good fit for you. There are several tools that can be used for career research. These tools can give you a description of the career, skills needed, tasks involved, wage range, and education/training needed.

Here are a few career research tools:

• Xello

• Onet-Use the "Occupation Search" features

• My Next Move

• CareerOneStop-Use "Occupation Search" or "List of Occupations"

• ASVAB-Career Exploration Program