Georgia Career Information System

Career decision-making can be made easier for young people by dividing the job market into career clusters. Career clusters are occupations that are grouped together because so many people in these professions share similar interests and strengths. Clusters include numerous occupations that require varying degrees of education and training -- critical to one's overall plans for future employment. Selecting a career cluster provides student with a general focus while providing flexibility and various opportunities in that field. When a student selects a career cluster, they are simply choosing a direction upon which to build a plan. He or she is not making a permanent commitment merely narrowing the field to explore the possibilities in that particular field that the student may or may not have interest. Assessment and exploration will provide the knowledge to decide if that occupation "fits" the individual. Students should have opportunities to learn about themselves, to explore and investigate the world of work, to discover the best possible postsecondary preparation and develop a realistic plan of action to reach their goal. Through a systematic approach to career planning, a young person can discover their future and become excited about the possibilities.

The Georgia Department of Education, Career, Technical and Agricultural Education Division will be moving to reorganize instructional materials around 11 career clusters. This move will impact the way young people make decisions regarding future employment. Elementary students will become aware of career clusters, middle school students will become more familiar with career pathways and understand the connection between education and the world of work, and high school students will begin to prepare for the next step they will take to ensure economic prosperity for themselves and perhaps their family.

Agriculture includes Agribusiness Management Pathway, Agriscience Pathway, Agricultural Mechanics Pathway, Animal Science Pathway, Forestry/Natural Resources Pathway, Plant Science/Horticulture Pathway, and Veterinary Science Pathway.

Architecture, Construction, Communications and Transportation includes Aircraft Support Pathway, Broadcasting/Video Production Pathway, Construction Pathway, Engineering Drawing and Design Pathway, Flight Operations Pathway, Graphic Communications Pathway, Metals Pathway, Transportation Logistical Operations Pathway, Transportation Logistical Support Pathway, and Graphic Design Pathway.

Arts & Humanities includes Foreign Languages Pathway, Journalism Pathway, Performing Arts Pathway, and Visual Arts Pathway.

Business and Computer Science includes Administrative/Information Support Pathway, Computer Networking Pathway, Computing Pathway, Computing Systems and Support Pathway, Financial Management-Accounting Pathway, Financial Management-Services Pathway, Interactive Media Pathway, and Small Business Development Pathway.

Education includes Early Childhood Education Pathway and Teaching as a Profession Pathway.

Engineering and Technology includes Electronics Pathway, Energy Systems Pathway, Engineering Pathway, and Manufacturing Pathway.

Family and Consumer Sciences includes Consumer Science Pathway; Family, Community and Global Leadership Pathway; Interior Design Pathway; and Nutrition and Food Science Pathway.

Government and Public Safety includes Homeland Security and Emergency Services Pathway, JROTC-Air Force Pathway, JROTC-Army Pathway, JROTC-Marines Pathway, JROTC-Navy Pathway, and Law and Justice Pathway,

Healthcare Science includes Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway, Diagnostic Services Pathway, Health Informatics Pathway, Therapeutic Services-Emergency Services Pathway, Therapeutic Services-Medical Services Pathway, and Therapeutic Services-Nursing Pathway.

Marketing, Sales and Service includes Fashion Marketing Pathway, Marketing Communications and Promotion Pathway, Marketing and Management Pathway, Sports and Event Marketing Pathway, and Travel Marketing and Lodging Management Pathway.

Career Clusters