2. Chapter 13 Learning About Careers
Part 3—Career Planning
Chapter 13 Learning About Careers

3. Chapter Objectives Explain the differences among the career clusters.
Describe the wide range of jobs within career clusters.
Select careers and occupations that interest you.
List occupations with the greatest number of job openings and their educational requirements.

4. Key Concepts
Your skills, interests, aptitudes, abilities, values, and goals influence your career choices.
The career clusters and pathways can help you learn about careers that fit all aspects of who you are and want to become.
Occupations require different levels of education and training, but those requiring more often pay better.
You will have an easier time of finding a job if the occupation you want is in demand.

5. Education and Training Requirements
It is important to have the education required for the job you pursue.
Associate degree: A two-year college degree.
Bachelor degree: A four-year college degree.

6. Future Occupational Trends
Occupational trends: Research predictions regarding jobs that will most likely be needed in the future.
Some factors influencing new jobs are:
Advances in technology.
An aging population.
Increased emphasis on health and fitness.
High interest in recreation and entertainment.
New ways of communicating.
Success in the future will require adaptability.

7. Using the Career Clusters
A good way to learn about jobs is by exploring career clusters—groups of occupations related by common knowledge and skills.
Each cluster contains several pathways, which are subgroupings based on common knowledge and skills.
Each pathway contains jobs ranging from entry level to professional.
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8. Using the Career Clusters
Agricultural, Food & Natural Resources
Architecture & Construction
Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
Business Management & Administration
Education & Training
Finance
Government & Public Administration
Health Science
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9. Using the Career Clusters
Hospitality & Tourism
Human Services
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Manufacturing
Marketing
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

10. Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Fewer jobs involve traditional farming and ranching.
Many careers involve food science and technology.
Some knowledge and skills are learned on the job.
Many technical jobs require two or more years of advanced training.
- Food Products and Processing Systems
- Plant Systems
- Animal Systems
- Power, Structural and Technical Systems
- Natural Resource Systems
- Environmental Service Systems
- Agribusiness Systems

11. Architecture & Construction
These careers involve the design, building, and maintenance of physical structures.
Specific job requirements range from on-the-job training to advanced degrees.
The employment outlook for these careers remains steady, especially for design and construction jobs.
- Design and Preconstruction
- Construction
- Maintenance and Operations

12. Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
This field includes visual and performing arts, journalism, and printing technology.
Talents need to be perfected for arts careers, so training begins at an early age.
Technical jobs in communications require training at a technical or community college or through an apprenticeship.
- Audio and Video Technology and Film
- Printing Technology
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Journalism and Broadcasting
- Telecommunications

13. Business Management & Administration
Business employees perform tasks to keep businesses and organizations running smoothly.
Some entry-level jobs require a two-year degree.
Top positions require an advanced degree.
Careers in this cluster are expected to grow faster than average.
- General Management
- Business Information Management
- Human Resources Management
- Operations Management
- Administrative Support

14. Education & Training
The education field includes teaching and training, professional support services, administration, and administrative support.
Most jobs in this field require a four-year college degree and licensing or certification.
Typically, pay is lower than other occupations, but benefits and job security are comparably very good.
- Administration and Administrative Support
- Professional Support Services
- Teaching and Training

15. Finance
Finance careers focus on the management and use of money, including banking and investment and financial planning.
It can be difficult to get started in this business, but the rewards are high for people with great sales skills.
Most careers in this cluster require a four-year degree or advanced training.
Securities and Investments
- Business Finance
- Banking Services
- Insurance

16. Government & Public Administration
This cluster offers many careers in areas such as governance, national security, and public management and administration.
The education required ranges from on-the-job training to advanced degrees.
Employment opportunities are increasing due to population changes and growing demand for public services.
- Governance
- National Security
- Foreign Service
- Planning
- Revenue and Taxation
- Regulation
- Public Management and Administration

17. Health Science
This broad field is growing rapidly as our population ages.
Half of all workers in the health field are employed in hospitals.
Most jobs in this field require specific training, ranging from certificate programs to many years in college.
- Therapeutic Services
- Diagnostic Services
- Health Informatics
- Support Services
- Biotechnology Research and Development

18. Hospitality & Tourism
This cluster covers a broad range of careers from travel agents to workers in zoos.
Many of the jobs require no prior training, but most managers have degrees or other advanced training.
The job outlook remains steady, but wages will vary depending on the area and type of facility.
- Restaurants and Food and Beverage Services
- Lodging
- Travel and Tourism
- Recreation, Amusements, and Attractions

19. Human Services
These careers are social and community services that help, protect, nurture, or provide assistance to others.
Many careers require state licenses or certification.
Education requirements range from a high school diploma to advanced degrees.
Most positions are growing faster than average.
- Early Childhood Development and Services
- Counseling and Mental Health Services
- Family and Community Services
- Personal Care Services
- Consumer Services

20. Information Technology
IT careers are among those most in demand.
People in this field stay up-to-date with the most current technology by attending workshops and classes even after earning a college degree.
Strong math, science, and communication skills are necessary.
- Network Systems
- Interactive Support and Services
- Web and Digital Communication
- Programming and Software Development

21. Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
Keeping citizens and country safe are the core mission of this career area.
Some jobs require a high school diploma and work experience.
Others require college degrees and advanced training.
These positions are increasingly in demand.
- Correction Services
- Emergency and Fire Management Services
- Security and Protective Services
- Law Enforcement Services
- Legal Services

22. Manufacturing
These careers involve skills in planning, managing, and making raw materials into quality products.
Logistics: The handling of operational details.
Education requirements range from apprenticeships to advanced degrees.
Careers will grow faster than average except for some that decline as automation increases.
- Production
- Manufacturing Production Process Development
- Maintenance, Installation, and Repair
- Quality Assurance
- Logistics and Inventory Control
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Assurance

23. Marketing
The cluster includes all jobs involved in buying, distributing, marketing, and selling products.
E-marketing: The use of computer technology to market goods and services.
Overall demand for employees in this cluster is high.
Many entry-level jobs exist. Employment opportunities are greater for those with more education.
- Marketing Management
- Professional Sales
- Merchandising
- Marketing Communications
- Marketing Research

24. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Workers use math and science to deal with real-world issues.
Engineers and technologists use scientific principles to develop new designs and systems.
Most jobs in this field require advanced college degrees with a firm background in math and science.
The employment outlook remains very strong.
- Engineering and Technology
- Science and Math

25. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Land, water, and air transportation industries offer many employment opportunities.
Employment is also available in logistics and distribution systems that support the transportation industries.
Entry-level jobs require on-the-job training or licensing.
Other positions require college degrees.
- Transportation Operations
- Logistics Planning and Management Services
- Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations
- Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance
- Transportation System/ Infrastructure Planning, Management, and Regulation
- Health, Safety, and Environmental Management
- Sales and Service

26. Thinking Back What career do you want to pursue?
What career clusters interest you? Why?
What jobs do you think will be needed in the future?