How to Teach Career Exploration through Career Clusters
Talking about career exploration with your students can be challenging, especially for transition students with special needs.
They may face many problems when choosing a career path, like not knowing where to start, what options are available, or what suits them best.
Who could blame them? It can feel overwhelming to think about all the possible jobs out there. There are countless job titles, roles, and sectors!
To help you with this, here’s a YouTube playlist full of resources on career clusters that you can use in your lessons. These are categories of careers that can help your students out. Discover how you can help your Special Education students find the career path that matches their interests and skills using career clusters!
Understanding the Importance of Career Exploration
When your students begin choosing their careers for the future, how would they know which aligns with their strengths and interests? They need to know and explore a variety of career options. In short, career exploration.
If you’re teaching high school or transition students, you most likely understand the importance of this process.
Career exploration involves discovering different career options and identifying the pathways to pursue them. This process increases awareness and helps your students know which careers align with their strengths, preferences, interests, and needs. In short, the best fit for them! Without proper career exploration, your students may make uninformed decisions that lead to choosing the wrong career path.
And even though career exploration exposes your students to a wide range of careers and industries, the process actually helps narrow down their choices.
What’s more, career exploration motivates your students to set goals and become more intentional in their education, better preparing them for life after school.
Teaching Career Exploration through Career Clusters
When it comes to helping Special Education students explore their career options, it’s important to have a structured and approachable method.
Career clusters offer a practical way to organize and simplify the process of career exploration.
What are Career Clusters?
Career clusters are groups of jobs and careers that share common features. Jobs that require the same skills or have related tasks are in the same cluster. For example, jobs like nursing, pharmacy, and physical therapy are in the “healthcare” cluster because they all revolve around caring for others’ health.
Categorizing jobs this way makes it easier for students to identify what types of jobs they might be interested in.
Not only that but each cluster is divided into different pathways that are helpful for the students to discover what knowledge and skills are needed for jobs in those fields.
Check out this video for a quick overview of career clusters.
The 17 Career Clusters
The US Department of Education provided 17 broad career clusters for virtually all jobs from entry level through professional levels. Other resources talk about 16 clusters, but newer ones include a new cluster which is “Energy.” Let’s briefly learn about each of them!
1. Agriculture
The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster involves working with nature to produce food and other products. Workers in this field also manage natural resources and care for the environment. People in these jobs might work on farms, in forests, or with animals.
Example jobs: Landscaper, Animal Caretaker, Park Ranger
2. Architecture
In this cluster, workers design, build, and maintain various structures. This includes houses, factories, offices, schools, roads, sewers, and more. The careers in this cluster require creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills to create safe and functional buildings and infrastructures.
Example jobs: Construction Worker, Pipelayer, Architect
3. Arts
Careers in the Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications cluster involve creating and sharing different forms of media. This includes visual arts, performing arts, design, journalism, and entertainment. These jobs allow people to express creativity and connect with others.
Example jobs: Costume Attendant, Photographer, Makeup Artist
4. Business
Jobs in Business Management & Administration focus on the organization and running of businesses, from small shops to large companies. Jobs here involve tasks like planning, organizing, leading, and assessing business activities that are important for making a company run smoothly.
Example jobs: Customer Service Representative, Office Manager, Human Resource Specialist
5. Education
In Education & Training, jobs are all about teaching and helping others learn. Whether working in schools, colleges, or other educational settings like libraries and museums, people in these jobs provide knowledge, skills, and support to help learners of all ages succeed.
Example jobs: Teacher, Coach, Library Technician
6. Energy
Careers in the Energy industry involve producing, supplying, and managing energy, such as electricity, gas, and renewable energy. People in these roles work to ensure we have the power we need for homes, businesses, and industries. They often work with advanced technology and machinery.
Example jobs: Electrician, Power Plant Worker, Solar Installer7. Finance
In the finance field, people work in jobs that involve planning finances, banking, insurance, and managing money for businesses. This industry is all about handling money and making financial transactions. It can range from helping a child open their first savings account to dealing with large loans for big companies.
Example jobs: Credit Processor, Bank Teller, Accountant
8. Government
This career cluster involves working in different levels of government, such as local, state, and federal. One main goal of most jobs in this field is to serve and support the community. Jobs here can include making and enforcing laws, planning and managing public services, and helping to keep the community safe and organized.
Example jobs: City Clerk, Tax Collector, Policy Advisor
9. Healthcare
People in the Healthcare or Health Science field help patients stay healthy and provide care when they are sick or injured. They are critical for ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities, whether through direct care, research, or support services.
Example jobs: Medical Secretary, Nurse, Occupational Therapy Aide
10. Hospitality
Careers in the Hospitality & Tourism industry involve overseeing and promoting restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, recreational events, and travel services. They focus on providing excellent service and creating memorable experiences in people’s travel and leisure activities.
Example jobs: Food Service Worker, Chef, Travel Agent
11. Human Services
People in Human Services are focused on helping people with their needs and improving the quality of life for individuals and families. This includes providing counseling and mental health services, helping families and communities, and offering personal care and consumer services.
Example jobs: Social Worker, Personal Care Aide, Counselor12. Information Technology
The Information Technology (IT) field is all about working with computers, software, and technology. People in IT jobs help develop, maintain, and secure the systems and networks that keep businesses, schools, and homes running smoothly.
Example jobs: Database Administrator, Web Developer, Computer Technician
13. Law & Public Safety
This cluster involves jobs that focus on keeping people safe and ensuring laws are followed. Workers in this field protect lives and property, make sure laws are followed, give legal advice, decide punishments for people who break the law, and help people who have been in trouble with the law.
Example jobs: Crossing Guard, Police Officer, 911 Dispatcher
14. Manufacturing
In Manufacturing, workers make different products, from cars to electronics, in factories or workshops. They take materials or parts and turn them into goods that we use every day.
Example jobs: Optical Technician, Meat Packer, Quality Inspector
15. Marketing
Careers in the Marketing industry include sales and advertising. Its main aim is to convince people to purchase products and services. Various organizations, such as small shops, banks, universities, and big companies, all engage in marketing in some way.
Example jobs: Salesperson, Model, Advertiser
16. STEM
Jobs in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) field are all about planning, managing, and doing scientific research. These jobs also involve providing professional and technical services like working in laboratories, doing tests, and developing new ideas.
Example jobs: Industrial Planner, Chemist, Lab Technician
17. Transportation
Careers in the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics field are all about moving people and things from one place to another quickly, safely, and at a low cost. The transportation systems in this category include airplanes, trains, waterways, roads, and pipelines.
Example jobs: Truck Driver, Aircraft Cargo Crew, Logistics Manager
Why Use Career Clusters?
Career clusters are important when teaching career exploration to special education students because they make understanding jobs easier. Instead of feeling lost in a sea of job options, students can see jobs grouped into 17 categories that are easier to understand. This helps students focus on what they’re good at and what they enjoy, making it easier to choose a career path that fits them.
More than that, career clusters make it easier to start conversations about jobs in a way that’s less confusing. Instead of asking, “What job do you want?” which can be overwhelming, we can talk about different types of jobs within a cluster. This common language makes it easier for students, families, and teachers to discuss future plans.
For teachers, career clusters are simple to use. There are ready-made materials that can be used in short lessons, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. Plus, most of these resources are free, so schools can use them without worrying about cost.
In short, career clusters give students a clear way to explore careers, help start meaningful conversations about the future, and are easy for teachers to implement.
How to Teach Career Exploration Using Career Clusters
Teaching career exploration can feel overwhelming, but using career clusters makes it easier and more organized. Here are some practical tips to help you guide your students through the career exploration process using career clusters!
#1: Introduce Career Clusters to Your Students
Special Education students who are learning about careers, jobs, and vocational exploration need an introduction to what career clusters are.
There are different ways to introduce the 17 career clusters! You can try engaging multimedia like animated videos or interactive slides. Or, if you want to go the traditional way, use printed posters and resources.
For example, a poster showing all 17 clusters with related job titles can serve as a visual reminder for students as they explore their options. You can even display a “Job of the Week” or a “Cluster of the Month” on a bulletin board using the posters!
Why not use this Career Cluster resource bundle? It includes differentiated resources on career clusters, with a full 50-page lesson, a custom animated video, and printable pages of each cluster. Your students will learn about the different clusters and your task will be much easier!
#2: Identify Interests and Align Them with Career Clusters
When helping your students find their career path, you should also help them identify their interests. Look at their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to review their strengths and skills.
Another thing you can use is this picture-based Transition Assessment Survey Tool. It’s really helpful in evaluating what your students are good at and what their interests are, and it’s even made for non-reader students!
There are also self-assessment tools like online quizzes which are more related to careers. Websites like MinnState, Career Onestop, and My Next Move offer career interest assessments that match students with appropriate career clusters.
Lastly, you can encourage your students to reflect on their hobbies, favorite subjects, and any past volunteer work experiences. For example, a student who loves animals and enjoys biology might find the Agriculture cluster appealing.
#3: Explore Career Clusters
Once they’ve been introduced to career clusters, your students are most likely to be interested in one or more clusters. This means their choices have been narrowed down, and they’re now ready to learn more about those clusters.
One effective way to explore career clusters more deeply is by assigning students research projects where they explore specific clusters that interest them. If a student is drawn to the Arts cluster, they could research careers like graphic design, animation, and performing arts, and then present their findings to the class, including the education and skills required for each career.
Additionally, having meetings with school or career counselors can provide valuable guidance. Counselors can offer personalized advice, helping students map out educational paths that align with their individual interests and abilities.
Moreover, hands-on experiences, such as job shadowing or internships, are also incredibly beneficial. For instance, a student interested in the STEM cluster could spend a day shadowing an engineer or participate in a summer internship at a tech company.
These real-world experiences give students a deeper understanding of what different careers involve, helping them make more informed decisions about their future.
That’s a wrap! Are you now ready to teach career exploration to your Special Education students? By using career clusters, you can effectively guide your students to their right career path. Start by checking out this growing resource bundle of Career Exploration Skills, Lessons, & Activities! It’s a mix of digital, printable, and lesson-format resources that are made for Special Education students. This can surely help you with teaching career exploration!
