Career Clusters Close the Gap Between Schools Subjects and Careers

Posted: Nov 01, 2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 306 | Bookmark and Share

A wealth of information exists that explains the relationships between school subjects and careers. Across the nation, children, teens, teachers, and counselors use Career Interests Areas or Clusters to explore careers and to make school study plans. There are sixteen (16) Interests Areas or Clusters:

1. Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
2. Architecture & Construction
3. Arts, A/V Technology & Communication
4. Business, Management & Administration
5. Education & Training
6. Finance
7. Government & Public Administration
8. Health Science
9. Hospitality & Tourism
10. Human Services
11. Information Technology
12. Law, Public Safety & Security
13. Manufacturing
14. Marketing, Sales & Service
15. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
16. Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

States and federal agencies across the nation have created career cluster web sites and resources. We have reviewed three (3) of the best state or federal agency web sites.

Louisiana Integrated Skills Assessment (LISA)

One of the most unique comprehensive career cluster resources is the Louisiana Integrated Skills Assessment (LISA), an Internet program. LISA lets you explore career clusters, careers, abilities, training requirements, and more. Using the Lisa, you can do the following tasks:

Assessment: Explore career options using the Work Importance Locator.
I Enjoy: Find careers based upon the things that you enjoy.
Cluster: Find careers from Career Cluster Groups.
Search: Search for jobs based on knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Best Match: Use your current job to find knowledge, skills, and abilities to identify a new career.
Compare: Compare current job to potential new job.
Profile: Use this feature to create a profile from a selected career.

There are 3 steps in the LISA program. In Step 1, when you choose a career cluster, you will read the description of the cluster. When you select a career cluster in Step 2, you can select a career group. In each career group, you will see a lot of different careers. Finally, in Step 3, you see additional occupational information, such as:

Job descriptions
Educational and training requirements
Crosswalks, for example ONET, DOT, GOE, and other codes
Abilities
Knowledge
Skills
Tasks
Work Values
Labor Market Information

There is detailed information in each job profile:

Description
Crosswalk
Abilities
Knowledge
Skills
Tasks
Work Values
Occupational Characteristics Narrative

The Louisiana Integrated Skills Assessment (LISA) is an excellent tool for students to do career cluster exploration.

NCE Career Clusters and State Career Clusters Initiative Resources

The NCE Career Clusters has adapted information from the State Career Clusters Initiative to create a career education toolkit for teachers and counselors. In your NCE Career Clusters toolkit, you can find a Career Cluster Model, poster, resource booklets, At-a-Glance PDF Slices, and Plans of Study. Each resource is designed to facilitate the exploration of Career Clusters.

Career Cluster Resource Booklet

To prepare for a Career Clusters discussion, teachers and counselors use the State Career Clusters Initiative Career Cluster Resource Booklet. The brochures discuss the differences between career clusters and career pathways. The booklet outlines that career clusters are career groups from the same industry that have the same skills and educational requirements. Career pathways are specific careers that are within the each career cluster. The Resource Booklet discusses the following topics:

Historical background information
Cluster Knowledge and Skills
Pathway Knowledge and Skills
O*NET Crosswalk Report
Validation Studies
Assessment Protocol
Certification Protocol

The booklet is a "must-read" resource that provides in depth information on each career cluster. Each booklet has detailed graphs, charts, and tables.

Career Cluster Model

To provide an overview of Career Clusters, teachers and counselors use the Career Cluster Model. The Career Cluster Model simplifies sixteen (16) Career Clusters model. The center of the NCE Career Clusters model focuses on six (6) major groups. The career clusters are color-coded so that you can easily present six (6) major groups in classroom activities. The six (6) major groups are:

1. Environmental and Agricultural Systems
2. Business, Marketing, and Management
3. Communication and Information Systems
4. Industrial, Manufacturing, Engineering Systems
5. Health Sciences
6. Human Services and Resources

Here is summary of the relationship between the sixteen (16) Career Clusters and the 6 Super Clusters.

1. Environmental and Agricultural Systems
Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources (1)
2. Business, Marketing, and Management combines:
Business, Management & Administration (4)
Finance (6)
Hospitality & Tourism (9)
Marketing, Sales & Service (14)
3. Communication and Information Systems involve:
Arts, A/V Technology & Communication (3)
Information Technology (11)
4. Industrial, Manufacturing, Engineering Systems
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (16)
Architecture & Construction (2)
Manufacturing (13)
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (15)
5. Health Sciences
Health Science (8)
6. Human Services and Resources
Education & Training (5)
Government & Public Administration (7)
Human Services (10)
Law, Public Safety & Security (12)

The sixteen (16) Career Clusters systematically fit within the six (6) major groups.

Career Cluster Brochure

Another excellent career cluster student aid is the Career Cluster Brochure. The brochure is filled with photographs that show people performing the different jobs. With this easy-to-read booklet, students get an overview of the different careers, career clusters, and career pathways. Students read about:

What is a career cluster?
What is a career pathway?
What school subjects are important for a career in the ... career cluster?
What is the educational or training requirement for a career in the ... career cluster?
What are the necessary credentials for a career in the ... career cluster?
What is the employment outlook for a career in the ... career cluster?
What are some sample occupations?

Career Cluster Slices

Besides the Career Cluster Model and the Brochure, a third student Career Cluster aid is the NCE Career Cluster Slices. The NCE Career Cluster Slice identifies specific career opportunities found within each Career Pathways. Each Cluster Slice is illustrated and designed to explore areas, such as:

Cluster Description
Pathway Description
Cluster Knowledge & Skills
Career Field
Preparation for a Career in ...
Examples of Education and Training Postsecondary Programs of Study

Students discover that each pathways leads to post-secondary options including:

Apprenticeships
Certificates
Licenses
Associate's Degree Programs
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Master's Degree Programs
Doctoral Degree Programs
Professional Degree Programs

Career Clusters Plan of Study

At the beginning of the students' middle school years, the students use assessments identify career cluster interest areas. With the Career Clusters model, brochure, Slices, and LISA resources, the students have explored the different careers and post-secondary training options. Students, teachers, counselors, and parents then use the Career Clusters Plan of Study to strategically plan the students' high school course work. The Career Clusters Plan of Study provides examples of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, electives, and extra-curricular activities for the following grade levels:

7th - 8th grade
9th - 10th grade
11th - 12th grade
Examples of advanced coursework for postsecondary credit

The NCE Career Clusters web page is the gateway to the student career cluster resources.

State Career Clusters Initiative, NCE, and Lisa materials are just examples of career cluster resources. Career clusters resources have established a connection between school subjects and careers.

Resources:
Explore Career Clusters, Texas Workforce Commission/Career Development Resources (TWC/CDR), US Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and Louisiana Department of Labor

Nebraska Career Education, States' Career Clusters Initiative, 2005, and NCTEF/NASDCTEc (National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium) States' Career Clusters Initiative, & National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium

State Career Clusters Initiative Washington, DC: National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium, 2002

(ArticlesBase SC #249901)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/career-clusters-close-the-gap-between-schools-subjects-and-careers-249901.html

    Article Tags:

    Career Clusters

    How to Play Rocky Top on the Fiddle Violin

    Many people ask how to play rocky top on the violin or fiddle. This piece is a famous fiddle ballad and can be found in many fiddle books all over the world. Mike Sanchez shows how to play the rhythms and notes for Rocky Top and teaches how to play it. Distributed by Tubemogul. (04:42)

    How to Make The Melee Cocktail - in 12 Seconds

    The Melee Cocktail is an original Gianfranco Verga creation that can be found on the menu at this week's host bar, Louis 649. Drop in to Louis for exceptional cocktails, amazing atmosphere, and, of course, the Melee. Recipe: • 1 oz Gin • 1 oz Meletti Amaro • 1 oz Fino Sherry • 1/4 oz Cherry Heering. Stir over ice, strain into a old fashioned glass and top with a lemon twist. (00:31)

    Learn Mac Keyboard Shortcuts with KeyCue

    When I switched from a PC to a Mac one thing I had trouble with was keyboard shortcuts. Every program has them, but on the Mac you have to access them from the menu which is at the top of the screen. So, I was constantly moving back and forth. Then I found KeyCue and it made everything easier in every program. (02:16)

    10 Tips for Grand Theft Auto 4 - Part II

    Learn the top ten pointers that can be found in Grand Theft Auto IV. Part two of two. (03:55)

    10 Tips for Grand Theft Auto 4 - Part I

    Learn the top ten tips that can be found in Grand Theft Auto IV. Part one of two. (04:58)

    Since 1960s, career cluster resources have been used as career exploration and planning tools in schools, learning communities, and organizations across the nation. Career Clusters is a system that matches educational and career planning.

    By: Mary Askew l Careers l Oct 09, 2007 l Views: 376 l Comments: 1

    Career assessments and tests help you explore who you. Career books and web sites give you a glimpse of the world of work. Free career information is available on web sites. Some writers have written facts for children and teens. These web sites use graphics, multimedia presentation, activities, and other techniques to expand our knowledge of careers.

    By: Mary Askew l Education l Aug 18, 2007 l Views: 1,314

    In the early 1980’s, people in states such as Texas, California, Arizona, and Florida began to see the opportunity to open traveling nursing agencies to fill the demand for nurses in states that have higher populations in the winter months.

    By: Erik John l Education l Feb 05, 2009 l Views: 109

    A cancer cluster may be investigated into and subsequently identified by authorities when there are frequent outbreaks of a similar type of cancer in a neighborhood or at workplace where there is potential environmental pollution. Given that to prove the existence of a cancer cluster is extremely difficult, you should be vigilant and cautious of the environment you are regularly exposed to.

    By: Stephen Lau l Health l Jul 12, 2008 l Views: 52

    Help Your Students Become Career Explorers. Make the career exploration journey enjoyable, educational, and effective. Find fun, educational, and not boring kid career tests, assessments, games, web sites, and books. Get resources that meet your child's potentials.

    By: Mary Askew l Education > Tutoring l May 01, 2007 l Views: 207
    Subhash Kandpal

    Emergency Medical Technician is an excellent career opportunity if any individual is looking to move into a different career. The rewards are abundant and in long-term career an individual may find and enjoy great satisfaction in helping other people who need your emergency support. Learn here more about EMT as a career option and why this field has pulled the attention of many youths who are looking forward to making career in the allied care profession. 

    By: Subhash Kandpal l Careers > Career Management l Nov 12, 2009 l Views: 60

    Today allied health is one of the few professions that offer enough room and ample opportunities for career advancement. Talking about the scope of this profession, there are some of the most promising statistics that certainly define the growing popularity of this profession. In this article, learn more about various essential factors that you must be know after you have decided to make a career in the allied health care industry.

    By: Erik Johnson l Careers > Career Management l Dec 19, 2009 l Views: 16

    There are many possibilities with choosing a career in nursing. The job is rewarding, adventurous and gratifying. In previous years the only place to find work as a nurse consisted of nursing homes, hospitals and a private medical office. The field has expanded to include nurses in law, forensics and...

    By: A.Noton l Careers l Feb 10, 2010

    Engineering professionals or graduates often make use of similar resources while finding work. The way you approach the job hunt, plays a vital role in your success.

    By: Gen Wright l Careers l Feb 10, 2010

    Engineering recruitment management services offer their candidate with superb grooming and expert advice. They also provide their candidates with a few insider tips about the engineering firms that require engineers.

    By: Gen Wright l Careers l Feb 10, 2010
    Marcus Lim

    Marketing is an incredibly important aspect of any viable business, especially in our current economic state. Consumers are being more careful with how they spend their money, and that is part of the reason that companies need to be sure that they are properly marketing there business.

    By: Marcus Lim l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    Quantitative analyst, or quant analyst, is a person who works in a financial institution. It may be anything from banks to investment centers to a hedge fund. The main job of the quant analyst is to research and design statistical or mathematical models and then implement them all the same. Quant research plays a major role in growth of the firm.

    By: bill goo l Careers l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    As older age groups grow in size, their need for Emergency and Urgent Care also grows. The current physician shortage in the United States is expected to worsen over time. Other issues are affecting this shortage as well, including the shrinking economy and the impending health care "reform".

    By: Robert Truog l Careers l Feb 09, 2010

    Intro As a professional who has been involved and working for the online adult industry for over 6 years I decided it would be appropriate to have a look at a part of this enormous business up close. One of the more popular kind of entertainment site is the webcam chat site. Once on the web site a visitor can skim from a few to a few thousand webcam girls and easily engage in a live video chat.So what are webcam sites?The Basics of Webcam Sites

    By: Rani Kareem l Careers l Feb 09, 2010

    In today's world, an Emergency Medical Technician in short called a EMT is a position which many are trying to achieve. The program which comes with a certification helps you learn how to save lives and become a part of the Emergency Medical Service team.

    By: byul im l Careers l Feb 09, 2010

    A wealth of information exists that explains the relationships between school subjects and careers. Across the nation, children, teens, teachers, and counselors use Career Interests Areas or Clusters to explore careers and to make school study plans.

    By: Mary Askew l Careers l Nov 01, 2007 l Views: 306

    Since 1960s, career cluster resources have been used as career exploration and planning tools in schools, learning communities, and organizations across the nation. Career Clusters is a system that matches educational and career planning.

    By: Mary Askew l Careers l Oct 09, 2007 l Views: 376 l Comments: 1

    To be successful in the workplace, employees have to possess transferable skills. Knowing about these skills will help students and adults prepare to be successful in the workplace. Different web sites provide information about transferable skills lists and transferable skills surveys.

    By: Mary Askew l Careers l Sep 05, 2007 l Views: 1,794

    Career assessments and tests help you explore who you. Career books and web sites give you a glimpse of the world of work. Free career information is available on web sites. Some writers have written facts for children and teens. These web sites use graphics, multimedia presentation, activities, and other techniques to expand our knowledge of careers.

    By: Mary Askew l Education l Aug 18, 2007 l Views: 1,314

    Parents help us discover the gifts and the callings that God has for our lives. Parents help children discover their vocational interests and the motivational gifts. Parents identify the steps and resources that are necessary to develop the qualities and talents that the children possess.

    By: Mary Askew l Self Improvement > Motivational l Aug 13, 2007 l Views: 130

    Elementary school career education programs develop self-worth, awareness, and decision making strategies. Schools use age-appropriate materials that match the students' developmental levels. School programs report higher academic achievement. There are a variety of career education resources.

    By: Mary Askew l Education l Aug 13, 2007 l Views: 1,660

    Help Your Students Become Career Explorers. Make the career exploration journey enjoyable, educational, and effective. Find fun, educational, and not boring kid career tests, assessments, games, web sites, and books. Get resources that meet your child's potentials.

    By: Mary Askew l Education > Tutoring l May 01, 2007 l Views: 207

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    0