– Career Exploration –

Agriculture & Environmental Systems

People in these occupations raise plants and animals as sources for food and shelter. They also focus on selling and making products from plants and animals. They may provide advice and services that farmers and ranchers need to improve products. They may work to conserve natural resources and protect the environment.

• Agriculture & Food Processing – Agricultural and food scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products.
• Veterinary Medicine – Veterinarians diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

Arts & Communication

People in these occupations are performers and artists. They may work behind the scenes to make the performance or publication happen. They use creativity, talent, and technical skills.

• Art – Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles, and other objects that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create original works of art for their aesthetic value, rather than for a functional one.
• Printing & Publishing – These businesses are engaged in the publishing of newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, and books, as well as directory and mailing list and software publishing. In general, these establishments, which are known as publishers, issue copies of works for which they usually possess copyright. Works may be in one or more formats including traditional print form, CD-ROM, or proprietary electronic networks. Publishers may publish works originally created by others for which they have obtained the rights and/or works that they have created in-house. Software publishing is included here because the activity, creation of a copyrighted product and bringing it to market, is equivalent to the creation process for other types of intellectual products.
• Journalism – Reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts inform the public about news and events happening internationally, nationally, and locally. They report the news for newspapers, magazines, websites, television, and radio.
• Graphic Design – Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.

Business & Administrative Services

People in these occupations keep a business running. They direct the operations of a business. They may keep track of the expenses and income. Some make sure that a business has qualified employees who are trained to do their jobs. Others take care of daily tasks to meet customer needs and keep things organized.

• Business & Administrative Services – A variety of positions in office and administrative support exist: Bill/Account Collectors, Customer Service Reps, Bookkeeping, Receptionists, Tellers, General Office Clerks.
• Real Estate/Property Management – Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Although brokers and agents do similar work, brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a real estate broker.
• Human Resources – Human resources managers plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; and serve as a link between an organization’s management and its employees.

Construction Technologies

People in these occupations are responsible for designing and constructing buildings and other structures such as highways and bridges. They may also take care of, repair and restore existing structures.

• Architectural & Design Services – Architects plan and design houses, factories, office buildings, and other structures.
• Construction Technology
• Telecommunications – These businesses provide telecommunication services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), cable and satellite television distribution services, Internet access and telecommunications reselling services. The Telecommunications subsector is primarily engaged in operating, and/or providing access to facilities for the transmission of voice, data, text, sound, and video. Transmission facilities may be based on a single technology or a combination of technologies.

Education & Training

People in these occupations help others learn new knowledge and skills. They educate and instruct in many settings, most often in schools.

• Education

Engineering & Science Technologies

People in these occupations may do scientific research in laboratories or the field. They may help in the planning or design of products and systems. They may provide technical support to the scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

• Engineering & Science Technologies

Finance

People in these occupations watch over the finances of businesses and organizations. They may keep track of expenses and income. They may advise managers about hiring people and buying equipment.

• Accounting – Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate and that taxes are paid properly and on time. Accountants and auditors assess financial operations and work to help ensure that organizations run efficiently.
• Banking/Financial Management – Financial analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments.
• Insurance & Financial Services

Government & Public Administration

People in these occupations work in national, state, and local governments. Occupations from nearly every career cluster can be found within government; however, this cluster focuses on occupations that are unique to government responsibilities such as national defense and making laws.

• Public Relations – Public relations managers plan and direct the creation of material that will maintain or enhance the public image of their employer or client. Fundraising managers coordinate campaigns that bring in donations for their organization.

Health Science

People in these occupations use medical knowledge and skills. They check the health of patients and correct problems with surgery, treatment or therapy. Some carry out treatments, therapies, and tests approved by doctors. They may do record keeping and other support activities.

• Athletic Training/Physical/Occupational Therapy – Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Occupational therapists treat injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working. Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve their movement and manage their pain. These therapists are often an important part of the rehabilitation, treatment, and prevention of patients with chronic conditions, illnesses, or injuries.
• Nursing – Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members.
• Pharmaceuticals – Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and offer expertise in the safe use of prescriptions. They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on healthy lifestyles.
• Psychology/Sociology – Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together. Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and their environments.
• Radiographic Imagining (X-ray/Ultrasound) – Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as X-rays, on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
• Healthcare Services
• Respiratory Care – Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients who have diseased lungs. They also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attacks, drowning, or shock.

Hospitality & Tourism

People in these occupations work to satisfy the needs and wants of customers. They might take orders or prepare food in a restaurant. They might clean rooms in a hotel or supervise employees. They might guide students on a trip to another country.

• Culinary Arts – Chefs and head cooks oversee the daily food preparation at restaurants and other places where food is served. They direct kitchen staff and handle any food-related concerns.
• Hospitality & Tourism

Human Services

People in these occupations work with individuals and families to meet their personal needs. They might provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools, or private offices. They might care for people who are elderly or disabled. They might give manicures, pedicures, or scalp and facial treatments.

• Social Work/Human Services
• Dental Hygiene – Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for signs of oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventive dental care. They also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain good oral health.
• Professional Services – Barbers, hairdressers, and cosmetologists provide haircutting, hairstyling, and a range of other beauty services.

Information Technology

People in these occupations work with computer hardware, software, multimedia, and network systems. They might design new computer equipment or computer games. They might make sure that the software or networks are working correctly. They might make sure that people know how to use the technology.

• Computer Networking/Network Security – Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks and security systems.
• Computer Programming/Web Programming – Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.
• Information Technology

Law & Public Safety

People in these occupations guard the public by enforcing the law. They might provide fire protection and security. They might give legal services to people who commit crimes or are victims of crimes.

• Law & Public Safety – Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes. Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators, who are sometimes called agents or special agents, gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.

Manufacturing

People in these occupations may design a new product or determine how the product will be made. They may make the product. They might install or repair the product once it has been purchased.

• Advanced Manufacturing (Robotics, Welding, CNC) – Advanced manufacturing jobs can include Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Machinists & Tool and Die Makers and Electro Mechanical Technicians.
• Skilled Trades/Maintenance
• Manufacturing – The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.

Marketing

People in these occupations help businesses sell products. They may identify customer needs. They help customers choose products or services. Some sales workers accept payments and package products.

• Advertising & PR Services – Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services. They work with art directors, sales agents, and financial staff members.
• Sales & Marketing – Sales managers direct organizations’ sales teams. They set sales goals, analyze data, and develop training programs for organizations’ sales representatives. Marketing managers plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm’s profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm’s customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Retail Services

Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of retail sales workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.

• Retail Sales

Transportation Systems

People in these occupations move people and products by road, air, rail, or water. They may drive or pilot different means of transportation. They may repair and maintain the vehicles, trains, planes, and ships to keep people and products moving. They may work behind the scenes to make sure the products and people get to the right place on time.

• Auto/Diesel Technology – Diesel service technicians and mechanics inspect, repair, and overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engine. Automotive service technicians and mechanics, often called service technicians or service techs, inspect, maintain, and repair cars and light trucks.
• Transportation & Logistics – Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.
• Distribution/Warehousing – Industries in the Warehousing and Storage subsector are primarily engaged in operating warehousing and storage facilities for general merchandise, refrigerated goods, and other warehouse products. These establishments provide facilities to store goods. They do not sell the goods they handle. These establishments take responsibility for storing the goods and keeping them secure. They may also provide a range of services, often referred to as logistics services, related to the distribution of goods. Logistics services can include labeling, breaking bulk, inventory control and management, light assembly, order entry and fulfillment, packaging, pick and pack, price marking and ticketing, and transportation arrangement. However, establishments in this industry group always provide warehousing or storage services in addition to any logistic services. Furthermore, the warehousing or storage of goods must be more than incidental to the performance of services.