Career Exploration Especially for you!

Purpose of Middle School Career Exploration is to: Match career opportunities to your: skills, abilities, and interests. Connect education to "world of work". Develop skills for getting a job. Learn how to make contacts for future job possibilities. It’s all about your future!

Careers Today Today's workplace is changing rapidly. Career opportunities are constantly changing. Most adults change careers several times. Many jobs require specialized education or training.

How is education related to a career? Classroom performance is directly related to your opportunities. Expect to be a lifelong learner. Not all skills will be taught. But at least some on the job training is normal.

Target Careers based on your interests: Do you enjoy working with people? Do you enjoy working with computers? Inside or outside work? Are you mechanically inclined?

Research your area of interest: Futures4Kids www.f4k.org Career Guide to Industries www.bls.gov/oco/cg/ Military Career Guide www.todaysmilitary.com/ careers College Information www.princetonreview.com College Foundation of North Carolina http://www1.cfnc.org/Career_Center/_default Career One Stop www.acinet.org/ Occupational Outlook Handbook http://stats.bls.gov/oco/

Career Clusters: Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources Arts, A/V Technology, & Communications Education & Training Government & Public Administration Hospitality & Tourism Information Technology Manufacturing Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Architecture & Construction Business Management &Administration Finance Health Science Human Services Law, Public Safety, Corrections &Security Marketing Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics

Cluster 1 The production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources. Jobs: wildlife manager, gardener, food scientist, animal care technician, farm manager, drug inspector, biochemist

Cluster 2 Careers in designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. Jobs: electrician, code inspector, preservationist, drafter, interior designer, contractor, safety director

Cluster 3 Jobs: photojournalist, researcher, copywriter, web designer Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multi- media content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services. Jobs: photojournalist, researcher, copywriter, web designer

Cluster 4 Careers encompass planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy. Jobs: accountant, collections clerk, advertizing manager, administrative assistant, real estate associate, data processor

Cluster 5 Planning, managing, and providing education and training services, and related learning support services. Jobs: school psychologist, curriculum developer, teacher, testing coordinator, speech pathologist

Cluster 6 Planning services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management. Jobs: claims investigator, auditor, fundraiser, debt counselor, investment planner, insurance appraiser

Cluster 7 Executing governmental functions to include governance; national security; foreign service; planning; revenue and taxation; regulation; and management and administration of the local, state, and federal levels. Jobs: elected official, policy advisor, public relations specialist, military officer, ambassador, vital statistics clerk

Cluster 8 Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development. Jobs: surgeon, pharmacist, art therapist, prosthetist, pathologist, laboratory technician

Cluster 9 Encompasses the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, and recreation events, and travel-related services. Jobs: tour guide, forest ranger, chef, amusement park developer, restaurateur, hotel executive

Cluster 10 Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs. Jobs: social services worker, hair stylist, consumer advocate, child care director, funeral home director

Cluster 11 Building linkages in IT occupations framework: for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multi-media, and systems integration services. Jobs: technician, animator, programmer, data processing, information support

Cluster 12 Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. Jobs: firefighter, forensics examiner, grant writer, police patrol officer, detective, immigration inspector

Cluster 13 Planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing/process engineering. Jobs: welder, drafter, failure analyst, labor relations manager, quality engineer

Cluster 14 Planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives. Jobs: buyer, market researcher, catalog developer, statistician, product developer

Cluster 15 Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services. Jobs: engineer, technical writer, oceanographer, engineer, environmental scientist

Cluster 16 Planning, managing, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail, and water and related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance. Jobs: automotive technician, regional planner, cashier, flight attendant, consultant, air traffic controller

It is all about balance What job will you enjoy? Your cognitive ability and social skills Your personality and career goals College/Training requirements and affordability Financial gain and personal fulfillment What job will you enjoy?