Career Clusters

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster encompasses one of the South Dakota's biggest industries, and virtually everyone on the planet is impacted by it. This cluster prepares learners for careers in the planning, implementation, production, management, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities and services.

Quick Facts

• Technology improves efficiency
  Technology continues to improve agricultural efficiencies, for example geospatial mapping can be used to precisely target pesticides and fertilizers to areas with poor crop yields.
• Mining jobs are expanding
  Mining employs 675,000 workers and is projected to grow more rapidly than other segments of the cluster.
• Demand for renewable energy fast growing
  Demand for renewable energy is growing faster than any other energy source in the U.S. Usage increased 100% between 2000 and 2018.
• Decline in demand for wood products
  Demand for paper and wood products is projected to slow in the next several years, reducing related employment demand
  
  

Workers in the Architecture and Construction career cluster design, plan, manage, build and maintain the built environment. If you enjoy working on new structures, restorations, additions, alterations, and repairs, a career in this field might be for you.

Quick facts

• Strong growth
  Over 7 million workers are employed in the industry with more than 800,000 new jobs expected in the next decade.
• Safety first
  Safety equipment improvements are continuously under development to minimize the risk of injury for construction industry workers.
• Innovations speed construction
  Builders increasingly use modular and prefabricated products to speed up project timelines dramatically.
• Trend toward sustainability
  New eco materials are a key area of growth. Designing with sustainable materials and minimizing resource use is an industry trend.

Creative students who see themselves designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content are fit for a career in the Arts, A/V technology and Communication career cluster. You will apply artistic talent to practical problems and learn visual arts principles that prepare you with skills and techniques to work in any number of creative design and entertainment fields.

Quick facts

• Large economic impact
  The arts contribute more than $800 million a year to U.S. economic output, according to a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Employment numbers
  Almost 3 million people work in arts, A/V technology and communications fields in the U.S.
• Freelance opportunities
  Freelance work is common in many of these careers. Some jobs require frequent travel and have irregular work hours.
• Shift from print to web
  As demand for printed media trends downward, news organizations focus more on developing web-based content like podcasts, video, and social media.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Business Management and Administration careers encompass planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions that are essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

Quick facts

• Employment numbers
  In the United States, nearly 16 million people work in management and business operations jobs, while more than 19 million work in office and administrative support occupations.
• Business management job growth
  Large growth in business management occupations is expected over the next ten years.
• Salary highs and lows
  Management occupations are in the highest paid occupation group, while office and administrative support occupations are in the ten lowest-paying occupational groups.
• Corporate social responsibility
  Corporate social responsibility is expanding, such as practicing energy efficiency, sourcing materials sustainably, ethical labor practices, and promoting more diverse candidates into leadership roles.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The Education and Training career cluster is a diverse cluster which prepares learners for careers in planning, managing, and providing education and other related learning support services. If you enjoy motivating others, working with children, assisting those who need help and seeing others succeed, a career in the Education and Training cluster may be for you.

Quick facts

• Average growth
  There are about 10 million jobs in the education and training cluster. Most careers in this cluster have an average to bright outlook over the next ten years.
• That many students?
  The U.S. has about 56 million students in public and private schools. Student enrollment increases from elementary school through college are expected over the next 10 years.
• More than just public libraries
  There are more than 9,000 public community libraries in the U.S. Libraries are also housed in schools and universities, government agencies, and corporations.
• Museums are local assets
  Museums support more than 700,000 jobs and serve as a community asset to their locations as well as a major attraction for travelers. There are more than 35,000 museums in the country.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Money is what makes the world go round. OK, maybe not... but to those hard at work in the Finance cluster, sometimes it can sure feel like it.

If you speak the language of mathematics fluently, finance is likely a good place for you to end up. And the Finance cluster is always in need of a good analytical mind. South Dakota, particularly Sioux Falls, is a central hub for some of the biggest banks in the nation, including Citibank, Wells Fargo and Premier Bankcard.

Quick facts

• Large economic impact
  There are about 490,000 establishments in the U.S. finance and insurance sector with a combined annual revenue of about $4.5 trillion.
• Employment numbers
  This sector employs more than 6.3 million people.
• Global opportunities
  New York City is the primary U.S. financial hub, but in this global industry, workers might be involved in hubs around the world, such as London, Tokyo, and Zurich.
• High demand
  Most finance and insurance occupations are growing, including accountants and auditors, insurance sales agents, and loan officers.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Professionals in the Government and Public Administration cluster plan and execute government functions at local, state, and federal levels. Anyone who has a hand in the day-to-day operations of the government works within this cluster. If you have a passion for serving our country and are an organized individual, this cluster may be for you.

Quick facts

• Civilian careers
  About 1.6 million people work in civilian occupations in this cluster.
• Armed forces careers
  There are currently approximately 1.3 million active-duty personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces, who work in more than 800 different occupations.
• High demand
  Increasing population in many areas, along with growing demand for public services, is fueling higher than average employment growth in this cluster over the next 10 years.
• Industry trends
  Regulatory and compliance careers are growing within this cluster, and impact large-scale public issues such as lending practices, or anti-corruption work in government.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The Health Science career cluster orients students with careers that promote health, wellness, and diagnosis as well as treat injuries and diseases. Some of the careers involve working directly with people, while others involve researching, collecting and formatting data and information. If these topics interest you, Health Sciences might be the way to go.

Quick facts

• One of the nation’s largest employers
  Nearly 21 million people are employed in health care—and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nearly one in seven Americans will work in the industry by 2028.
• Growth in mental health care
  Mental health care, behavioral health, and substance abuse services are expanding, as they have become increasingly destigmatized.
• Telehealth is meeting diverse needs
  Remote care or telehealth continues to expand to make patient care more accessible and reduce staff involvement.
• Renewed focus on preventive care
  Wellness care to prevent illness and stay well is gaining emphasis, often by insurance companies seeking to minimize health care spending.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Hospitality and Tourism is a prominent career cluster in the Mount Rushmore State. This cluster prepares individuals for employment in careers that work with food/beverage services, lodging, travel and tourism, recreation, amusement and attractions. If you are intrigued by the idea of helping others explore the beauty, culture and cuisine of the world around them, a career in Hospitality and Tourism may be for you.

Quick facts

• Strong employment growth
  This sector employs over 16 million people and is expected to add more than 1.5 million jobs over the next ten years.
• Large infrastructure for lodging
  There are over 50,000 hotels and motels in the United States.
• We love to travel
  Travelers in the United States logged more than 2.25 billion trips in 2018.
• Big destination for international travelers
  Approximately 80 million visitors from overseas traveled to the U.S. in 2018 to shop, sightsee, dine out, visit national parks and monuments, and enjoy amusement parks.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The Human Services cluster includes careers that improve quality of life and promotes safe, healthy communities. Workers in human services better our lives by tending to our psychological, social, and physical needs. If you are looking for a job relating to families and human needs, check out the careers in this cluster.

Quick facts

• Social service jobs are in different sectors
  Government, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations employ more than 4 million workers in social assistance jobs.
• Strong need for workers
  Inner-city and rural communities have a significant need for workers but are often underserved by social services.
• Beauty services are expanding
  Over 1 million people work in beauty services, including salons, barber shops, nail studios, and spas. Jobs are growing much faster than average.
• Wage growth opportunities
  Although entry-level social services jobs often have low wages, experienced workers earn wages that are higher than the national average.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

With information technology constantly changing and advancing, this cluster is sure to have an ongoing high demand of workers. If you are skilled in keeping up with the constantly advancing technology industry, this cluster may have the right career for you.

Quick facts

• Global impact
  The U.S. accounts for 32% of the technology market worldwide, contributing over $1.7 trillion to the economy each year.
• Job flexibility
  More so than perhaps in any other industry, many IT jobs can be performed remotely, as long as a reliable Internet connection is available.
• Industry trends
  Almost 550,000 new IT jobs are expected in the coming years, with substantial growth in information security, software and application development, cloud computing, and data storage.
• National and regional hubs
  Major cities with a well-established IT job market include: San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago. Newer IT job markets are growing in cities like Austin, Charleston, Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Madison.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

The Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security career cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing legal services including homeland security, public safety, and protective services. If you feel you would enjoy an occupation where you can “serve and protect,” a career in the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster may be just what you are looking for.

Quick facts

• Employment numbers
  About 5 million workers are employed in the law, public safety, corrections, and security cluster.
• Law graduates
  Over 30,000 new law school graduates pass the bar exam each year, emerging into a job market of more than 1.3 million lawyers. Most specialize in a particular branch of law.
• Public safety
  Crime and other public safety hazards continuously present new, significant digital challenges, requiring innovative and sophisticated technology and cybersecurity measures to address them.
• Scope of corrections
  Over 2.3 million individuals are incarcerated in the U.S. annually, with an additional 4 million on parole or probation.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Manufacturing is one of South Dakota's largest industries. If you are interested in planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into final products, a career in this cluster may be for you.

Quick facts

• Factory locations
  Manufacturers operate in every state but are particularly important for Midwest and South regional economies, where manufacturing may account for 10% or more of all jobs.
• Employment numbers
  Over 12.5 million people are employed in the manufacturing industry, while millions of jobs in other industries rely on manufactured products.
• Artificial intelligence
  The use of artificial intelligence and automation in manufacturing continues to grow, requiring a workforce with the skills and training to learn new technology and quickly adapt to different project needs.
• High demand
  Job candidates with a high school diploma and short-term technical training are in great demand in manufacturing.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

This cluster is ideal for the creative individuals who still get a thrill out of giving a sales pitch. Creativity paired with solid people skills are essential in the Marketing cluster. Effective communication is also a must. Since most of what we buy is fulfilling a want rather than an actual need, consumers are largely driven by effective marketing. Today’s global marketplace has made the industry even more competitive. People representing this cluster largely influence our decisions to buy through brand advertising, creative messaging and product placement.

Quick facts

• Large employment with moderate growth
  More than 20 million people work in sales and marketing; these fields are expected to grow moderately over the next ten years.
• Many industries buy advertising
  Total advertising spending in the U.S. typically exceeds $200 billion each year and is purchased by a variety of industries such as auto sales, restaurants, pharmaceuticals, travel, sports, and entertainment.
• Digital advertising is growing fast
  Spending on digital advertising—such as on Google, Facebook, and Amazon—has just begun to outpace traditional media.  
• Retail sales is tied to technology
  The future of sales is strongly tied to changes in technology that impact how retail stores interact with consumers.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

Workers in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) career cluster provide solutions to technical problems across many industries. If you think creatively, wonder how to make things better and can apply what you've learned in math and science classes to solve real-world problems, a career in STEM may be for you.

Quick facts

• High overall job growth expected
  STEM occupations currently account for nearly 10 million jobs. Job growth of more than 8% is projected over the next decade, adding about 800,000 jobs.
• Regional and state high growth areas
  STEM jobs are expanding fastest in Texas, New York, California, and Washington, but STEM jobs are also increasing rapidly in less established locations such as North Dakota, Tennessee, and Georgia.
• Computer and tech fields growing fastest
  Computer and technology-related occupations are the fastest-growing STEM fields, with an increase of more than half a million new IT jobs projected across the next ten years.
• Value of the arts is also recognized
  STEAM is a related global education movement that incorporates the arts—such as humanities, music, language arts, visual arts, and design—using the creative process to investigate scientific concepts.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

In the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics career cluster, professionals are involved in the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and products by road, air, rail and water. Careers also include the logistic services and maintenance of all things included. If you are always on the go, this cluster may have a career for you.

Quick facts

• Large economic impact
  The U.S. spends more than $1.64 trillion annually on transportation logistics.
• Employment numbers
  More than 5 million workers are employed in occupations in this cluster, representing about 3.6% of total U.S. jobs.
• High wages
  Most careers in transportation and logistics pay wages that are higher than the national median.
• Truck driver jobs
  Trucks deliver nearly 70% of all freight in the U.S. Experts estimate there are 50,000 truck driver jobs unfilled, and trucking-related jobs account for about one-third of job openings in the industry.

The video and quick facts are from https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx, part of the CareerOneStop suite of web products, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.