Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters & Pathways

Career clusters represent a grouping of occupations and broad industries into a national classification of 16 clusters that are based upon common knowledge and skills. Career clusters include hundreds of occupations that may be grouped into pathways around which educational programs of study can be built.

Six career fields are the broadest level of career options. They are shown at the center of the diagram below around the circle. They're a good place to start exploring careers.

Underneath those six career fields are 16 career clusters. This is where you find more details about careers fields that interest you. Careers with the same knowledge and skills are grouped in the same cluster. Each cluster may include hundreds of different careers.

A pathway has its own knowledge and skill requirements. Educational programs can be developed around each pathway. They include curriculum that helps learners prepare for a career. Programs of study are sequential and based on industry expectations and skill standards. Career pathways show learners of all ages which courses will give them the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue their career choice.

The center of the career pathways diagram shows knowledge and foundation skills. These are a core set of skills needed to be ready for work and college.

Follow these links to Minnesota State CAREERwise Education to learn more.

• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource
• Business, Management, and Administration
  • Finance
  • Government and Public Administration
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Marketing, Sales, and Service
• Communications & Information Systems
• Engineering, Manufacturing, Technology
  
  • Architecture and Construction
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Transportation, Distribution, Logistics
• Health Science Technology
• Human Services
  
  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
  • Education and Training