CAREER CLUSTERS - Handout 1
GRADE 7 LESSON 16

A description of each Career Cluster as well as career examples is listed below. These are from the WVDE website.


Agriculture, Science, and Natural Resources (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.) Science and natural resources include research and development science, agriculture, agribusiness, agriculture production and natural resources. Research and developmental science include occupations in the area of physical, biological, environmental earth, space sciences, and mathematics. Agriculture and supporting industries employ large numbers of workers. Natural Resources, including the timber industry, fish, and wildlife and recreation management, provide additional career opportunities. Growing career areas include horticulture, research, biotechnology, environmental technology, etc. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Farmer / Water Plant Operator / Livestock Worker / Agricultural Specialist
Environmental Health Engineer / Environmental Technician / Astronomer / Horticulturalist
Extension Agent / Environmental Design / Marine Biologist / DNR Officer
Fish & Wildlife Management / Greens Keeper / Meteorologist / Scientific Researcher
Forestry / Landscaper / Mathematician / Biotechnician
Arts and Humanities (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.)
Careers in arts and humanities involve visual, performing and written expression. It is the creative and entertainment branch of learning and careers, and includes art, music, drama, language and social studies. Artists draw, paint, sculpt, create, photograph, and design in all kinds of mediums. Performers act, dance, sing, speak, demonstrate, and play musical instruments on stage, in movies, in videos, on TV and in many other places. Writers write books, plays, stories, and poetry. They research, write, and edit newspaper and magazine articles and columns. Surrounding these artists, performers, and writers are various support personnel helping to get the job done. They assist, sell, research, direct, display, process, repair, create, analyze, engineer, and guide the activities of these creative people. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Journalist / Broadcast Technician / Professional Artist / Musician / Photographer
Librarian / Cable Technician / Photographer / Museum Assistant / Graphic Designer
Technical Writer / Sound Engineer / Decorator / Costume Assistant / Commercial Artist
Newscaster / Radio/TV Production / Art Museum Professional / Stage Assistant / Illustrator
Sports Broadcaster / Disc Jockey / Photography Assistant / Interior Designer / Production Artist
Conductor / Production Assistant / Film Producer / Fashion Designer / Painter
Professional Musician / Music Salesperson / Actor / Lead Graphic Designer / Designer
Composer / Recording Engineer / Director / Creative Director / Writer
Music Therapist / Accompanist / Dancer / Proofreader / Performer


Business and Marketing (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.)
Business and marketing careers include a wide variety of skilled and professional level occupations. These areas require varied levels of ability, skill, and technical preparation. Many careers are available in accounting, business administration, finance, marketing and management. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Business Manager / Telemarketer / Industrial Management / Bank Teller / Public Relations
Office Manager / Realtor / Fashion Merchandising / Accounting Clerk / Market Research Analyst
Construction Management / Department Supervisor / Advertising / Data Entry / Fashion Design
Chief Executive Officer / Legal Secretary / Graphic Designer / Receptionist / Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Business Owner / Medical Secretary / Layout/Paste-Up Artist / Advanced Word Processor / Display Designer
Accountant / Administrative Secretary / Personnel Manager / Sales Representative /Clerk / Commercial Artist
Banking/Finance / Brokerage/Investment / Bookkeeper / Personal Banker / Keyboard Operator


Engineering and Technical (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.)
Careers in the Engineering/Technical cluster include occupations involved with mechanical principles applied to practical situations and “hands on” techniques with machines and tools. Engineers and engineering technicians take part in the planning, design, and construction of buildings, roads, commercial ports, airplanes, automobiles and most of the products and equipment we use every day. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Business Administrator / Draft Person / Plumber / Laborer / Fabrication Welder
HVAC Technician / Surveyor / Roofer / Lawn Equipment Repair / Machine Operator
Electrical Equipment Repair / Contractor / Highway Maintenance / Small Engine Repair / Draftsperson
Refrigeration/HVAC Repair / Carpenter / Aviation Technology / Concrete Mason / Industrial Engineering Tech
Electrician / Construction Manager / Aircraft Mechanic / Masonry Contractor / Design Technician
Electrical Engineer Tech. / Plasterer / Heavy Equipment Repair / Welding Technician / Chemical Lab Technician
Structural Maintenance / Finish Carpenter / Marine Mechanic / Welding Inspector / Environmental Specialist
Transmission Specialist / Automotive Technician / Maintenance Manager / Maintenance Manager / Civil Engineer
Electrician Helper / Brake/Steering Specialist / Machine Operator / Electrical Engineer / Mechanical Engineer
Utilities Meter Reader / Draft Person Assistant / Auto Body Shop Manager / ATV /Motorcycle Repair / Industrial Engineer
Telephone Installer / Surveyor Assistant / Bricklayer/Blocklayer / Environmental Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer
Electrical Installer / Diesel Mechanics / Auto Body Repair / Production Welder / Chemical Engineer

Health Science Education (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.)

Students preparing for health careers can enter programs leading to a certificate. Programs resulting in certificates or associate degrees are the minimum standard credential for many health related occupations. The healthcare industry provides many job opportunities for people with and without specialized postsecondary training. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Physician / Dentist / Sonographer / Pharmacist
Registered Nurse / Dental Lab Technician / Radiologist / Physical Therapist
Physician’s Assistant / Nursing Assistant / Medical Lab Technician / Occupational Therapist
Veterinarian / Pharmacy Assistant / Veterinarian Assistant / Speech Pathologist
Respiratory Care / Medical Transcriptionist / Dental Hygienist / X-Ray Technician
EMT/Paramedic / Health Data Specialist / Dental Assistant / Respiratory Therapist


Human Services (Follow link for WVDE Career & Technical Education page.) This area of study is designed to provide learners with skills and opportunities necessary for entering various areas of personal and family services. Entry level areas include cosmetology, nail technician, childcare assistant, nanny, parent resource educator, teacher aides, hospitality worker, dispatcher, EMT, fire fighter, first responder, hazardous material responder, rescue worker, police officer, correctional officer and security guard careers. (WVDE)

A few of the possible careers in this cluster:

Caterer / Legal Aide / Recreation Supervisor / Child Care Worker / Psychologist
Dietician / Court Reporter / Teacher / Custodian / Social Worker
Entrepreneur / Military (Enlisted) / Educational Administrator / Recreation Center Director / Rehab. Counselor
Food Chemist / Police Officer / School Guidance Counselor / Career Guidance / Minister
Head Chef / Security Officer / Classroom Aide / Barber/Beautician / Public Administrator
Hotel Management / Police Cadet / Preschool Aide / Funeral Director Assistant / Economist
Travel Agent / Corrections Officer / Youth Program Coordinator / Home Health Care Assistant / Funeral Director
Counter Attendant / Clerk / Caterer / Paralegal / Dispatcher
Dining Room Attendant / Secretary / Chef / Military / Hazardous Material Responder
Housekeeping / Firefighter / Clerk / F.B.I. Agent / Security Guard
Server / Baker / Flight Attendant / Administrative Assistant / Corrections Officer
Tour Guide / Buffet Server / Wait Staff / Beautician / Police Officer

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