Career Vision

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The Concept of Career Clusters


Career Clusters identify the knowledge and skills learners need as they follow a pathway toward their career goals. The knowledge and skills identified form a strong basis for learner success whether the learners are in high school, college, technical training or in the workplace. The career clusters also provide a means of exploring the many occupational options. Each Cluster is divided into different pathways. Pathways are grouped by the knowledge and skills required for occupations in these career fields. Each pathway provides instruction as a basis for success in an array of careers and educational pursuits. The U.S. Department of Education’s Career Clusters provide a way for schools to organize instruction and student experience around 16 broad categories that encompass virtually all occupations from entry through professional levels.


CAREER CLUSTERS


The 16 clusters, along with sample occupations and pathways to entry are:



					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		
					
		
		

		


INFORMATION AND CAREER RESEARCH


The next few paragraphs will explain how to access information about various careers. Family members and friends are good sources of first-hand knowledge. Don’t be shy asking people about their careers. People love to talk about themselves. Set up informational interviews or job shadow experiences to ask questions. Make a site visit!


Here are some other handy resources to learn more about careers and finding a good fit:


School or Career Counselors help students plan for the future. A counselor may use career assessment instruments, computerized information systems, or other resources to help you to connect what you know about yourself with what you know about careers. School counselors can’t make your career decisions for you. They can provide you with resources and guidance to assist you in this decision-making process. What you get out of this information depends on your effort and input.


Job Shadowing – Request the opportunity to observe someone doing a job you might like to do in the future. Your counselor may be able to arrange this for you.


Co-op/Internships are short term, full or part time, paid or non-paid positions developed between student, employers and faculty, which allow students to gain on-the-job experience related to their academic program. These positions are possible springboards to regular permanent employment. (Depending on the school, students can earn academic credit toward their degree or an honorary mention in their transcripts for having held a co-op or internship position.)


Libraries often have a “career section” full of valuable material. You can find information about:


    

  • Career planning skills
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  • Specific jobs
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  • Trends in the job market
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  • College, universities and training programs
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Ask a reference librarian for help locating career materials, including:


    

  • Occupational Outlook Handbook
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  • Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
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  • Dictionary of Occupational Titles
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Professional trade associations and unions may provide information about related careers and training requirements. Unions may also sponsor training programs for people interested in specific careers. You can get names and addresses of these organizations at the library in the Encyclopedia of Associations.


WorkNet DuPage offers services to help people explore career and training opportunities. It has a career resource center were you can gather information on careers, learn about training requirements, find out where to get training for specific careers, and access computerized information systems.