284 Part 3 Career Planning
A good way to begin exploring careers is to
think about factors that infl uence your options.
These factors may include your interests, apti-
tudes, and abilities. Your values and goals are
infl uences, too. When exploring careers, avoid
placing limits on the types of occupations to
consider. You are likely to work in several different
occupations during your career.
Then explore the 16 career clusters and their
pathways to learn about the wide range of jobs
within each cluster pathway. You can identify
specifi c jobs that interest you and examine them
in more detail.
It is important to understand the trends that
show growth or change in occupational areas.
Areas of growth usually provide the most high-
demand job opportunities. Occupations are
available for people who have different levels of
education and training, but the jobs that require
more knowledge and skills usually pay better.
Ultimately, each individual is responsible for
choosing a suitable occupation and taking advan-
tage of career-enhancing opportunities.
Summary
1. What is the difference between an associate
degree and a bachelor degree?
2. What occupation in 2016 will offer the greatest
number of jobs to people with no degree?
3. Name at least six examples of careers in the
arts, audio/video technology, and communi-
cations cluster.
4. List at least three skills all businesspeople
need.
5. How do highly skilled educators use many of
their nonteaching hours?
6. What skills do people need to build a founda-
tion for a fi nance career?
7. Why are government career opportunities
increasing?
8. Contrast the job responsibilities for health-
science workers in therapeutic versus health
information services.
9. Name six careers in the human services
cluster.
10. In addition to computer skills, what key skills
do workers in information technology careers
need?
11. What are the basic requirements for most
jobs in the law, public safety, corrections, and
security career cluster?
12. Why will demand for scientists, technologists,
and engineers increase?
Facts in Review