High school is a great time to lay out the foundations of a dream career. Choosing a career path depends a lot on one’s interests and personality. It may also influence your education pathway, as during higher education you will have to choose what classes you want to take.
Planning early will give you a head start in the career race.
However, with so many options, it is natural to feel confused and overwhelmed. This is where planning using career clusters may help. We recommend you choose a cluster (or even multiple clusters) that you have some interest in and look into the jobs in that cluster to see what best fits your skill sets and desires.
Here is a guide on what career clusters are and the “hottest” career clusters in today’s world.
What are Career Clusters?
Career clusters are groupings of different occupations. These “career groups” include careers that require a similar level of knowledge and skillsets.
This tool can help in learning more about career options in a particular field. Browse the 16 career clusters below and do more research on them if they interest you!
Read on to learn about trending career clusters that are currently the most in-demand.
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources:
The demand for food will never cease. This field is a good option for people interested in working closely with nature and animals.
Some career options in this cluster include food scientists, farmers, animal scientists, environmental officers, etc.
Many jobs in this cluster involve working outdoors, particularly in fields and orchards. Some might require you to work in a laboratory too. Most fields do not require a high level of formal education. Some that do require it include food sciences, dairy sciences, etc.
Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications:
This field might stand out to someone who has a creative side that they are willing to explore further through a career. People who love to entertain and perform will find this cluster suitable. Positions for those with a knack for production and technology are also available in this cluster.
This cluster has jobs including journalism, singing, editing, sound technology, design, etc. Most of the career roles require formal education. For fields such as animation, sound technology, and design, specialized certificate programs and relevant internships are helpful.
Business Management and Administration:
People with strong communication skills and the ability to manage a team will find their dream job in this cluster.
The job profiles in this cluster form the backbone of businesses. Some examples include- managers, accountants, marketing assistants, secretaries, etc.
Almost all jobs in this cluster require a high level of formal education. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is needed for high-level positions. Most jobs involve working in offices. It requires regular interaction with clients, for which powerful communication skills are necessary.
Information Technology:
A highly sought-after career cluster in today’s digital world is information technology. It is a rapidly growing career field. This is a suitable cluster for people with a passion for computers and the internet.
Some examples of career roles in this field are- software developers, ethical hackers, computer analysts, etc.
This cluster requires a bachelor’s degree for most entry-level jobs. Like most other clusters, a higher form of education is preferred in the case of specializations. High technical expertise is needed to thrive in this field. Industry certifications and internships help in gaining relevant experience.
Finance:
This is the perfect field for people who love mathematics, problem-solving, and are passionate about how to manage expenses.
Some examples of jobs in this career cluster include financial advisors, accountants, stockbrokers, investment bankers, etc.
This cluster requires a high level of education. An MBA degree with a specialization in finance is beneficial for many jobs in the field. Some jobs like chartered accountancy require specialized degrees.
While the process to achieve a position in finance may be difficult, the salary of many careers in this field justifies that. Consider working on your numerical and analytical skills if you are interested in this career path.
Health Sciences:
This field is all about professions involving healthcare and related sciences. The current pandemic has highlighted the importance of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.
Some examples of job profiles include nurses, pharmacists, doctors, paramedics, etc.
This cluster requires a high and specialized education level. Nurses must gain a license, and doctors have to get a medical degree.
For people having a desire to make a positive impact on society and are interested in studying biology/chemistry, this cluster is a plausible choice.
Conclusion:
All these career clusters involve either some emerging or conventional job profiles. They all are highly sought-after in today’s world.
These clusters help in deciding the skills and education level you may need to achieve while pursuing a field.
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The InternMart platform includes many career-discovery tools such as a Career Map Test, which allows you to identify top career choices based on your strengths and personality. Register on InternMart and unlock the key to your success.
Read our post here on how to discover your strengths and choose your career wisely.