What Are Career Clusters?

The United States Department of Education recently established 16 broad Career Clusters that reflect a new direction for education. The State of Tennessee, Department of Education, Division of Vocational-Technical Education, in accordance with this unique plan, has indentified groups of occupations within these 16 categories that have similar attributes. Each cluster can be used as an organizing factor to assist students, administrators, teachers, parents and counselors in identifying interests and setting goals for the future.


With over 700 different careers to choose from, it is often difficult for students to focus their varying interests. Dividing the job market into clusters should assist them in viewing future career possibilities more clearly. Career clusters are occupations that are grouped together because persons employed in these professions have been shown to share similar interest and strengths. Selecting a cluster to explore provides a variety of opportunities to pursue.

Explore the 16 Tennessee Career Clusters below by clicking on the category:

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