Career Pathways
Technological advances and global competition have created a dynamic world of work. Job seekers and students must continually update their knowledge and skills to compete. With thousands of careers to choose, it's important to organize the careers in a meaningful way for exploration.
What are the Benefits of Career Pathways?
Career pathways provide:
- a tool for exploration
- assistance in the understanding and connection between school and future employment.
What does ISEEK offer?
ISEEK's About Career Pathways page has general information about how the six career fields, 16 clusters, and 81 pathways work together. Use the Exploring the Pathways page to:
- select a career field
- see the related career clusters
- find more about each cluster including a video, description, and link to related careers.
Use the links below to start building your own counselor toolkit of career pathways information.
Strategies for Implementing Career Pathways
There are many ways to implement career pathways into your curriculum and counseling plans. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Refer students and jobseekers to ISEEK's Exploring the Pathways page for career exploration. Encourage them to explore careers within pathways to understand how the things they learn today impacts their success in college and careers.
- Start with an interest assessment. The Career Clusters Interest Survey is an easy to use assessment matching interests to career clusters.
- Invite business leaders from each cluster into your classroom or arrange on-site visits. Give participants an opportunity to lean about the types of jobs within a cluster. Participants will also hear directly from those who hire about the importance of preparation.
- Have students create posters or videos about a career cluster. Display their efforts in physical or online spaces where other students will see the information.
- Take advantage of Minnesota career and education exploration products. Read how ISEEK, MnCareers, and MCIS have implemented career pathways into their products in the More Resources section.
Holland Codes
You may want students or clients to explore career clusters by their interests. If you have used Holland codes in the past, use the list below to match Holland codes to career clusters. You can find a quick interest assessment using the Holland codes on MnCareers. Holland codes are also listed on the
ACT World of Work map.
R - Realistic
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Architecture and Construction
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Health Science
Hospitality and Tourism
Information Technology
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
I - Investigative
Health Science
Information Technology
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
A - Artistic
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Education and Training
S - Social
Education and Training
Government and Public Administration
Health Science
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Marketing, Sales, and Service
E - Enterprising
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Business, Management, and Administration
Finance
Government and Public Administration
Hospitality and Tourism
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Marketing, Sales, and Service
C - Conventional
Architecture and Construction
Business, Management, and Administration
Finance
Health Science
Manufacturing
Marketing, Sales, and Service
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
R and I - Realistic and Investigative
Health Science
Information Technology
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
R and A - Realistic and Artistic
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
R and S - Realistic and Social
Health Science
Human Services
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
R and E - Realistic and Enterprising
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
Hospitality and Tourism
R and C - Realistic and Conventional
Architecture and Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
I and S - Investigative and Social
Health Science
A and S - Artistic and Social
Education and Training
A and E - Artistic and Enterprising
Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
S and E - Social and Enterprising
Government and Public Administration
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Marketing, Sales, and Service
E and C - Enterprising and Conventional
Business, Management, and Administration
Finance
More Resources
ISEEK: Find Careers
ISEEK organized over 500 career descriptions into the 16 career clusters. Each cluster includes a definition, video, and list of related occupations.
MnCareers
This publication organizes its occupations into the six career fields, which are subdivided into the 16 career clusters. Each cluster includes related classes, typical activities on the job, skill requirements, job outlook, and specific occupations within the cluster.
Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)
MCIS organizes over 500 occupations within the six career fields and 16 career clusters. A variety of new career field and cluster information was added this year. MCIS requires a username and password. Check with your school or local WorkForce Center for availability.
League for Innovation in the Community College
The Career Pathways section of this Web site includes tips, templates, and samples for organizations ready to implement career pathways at the community college level.
Minnesota Career and Technical Education
Learn more about the Career and Technical Education unit at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, including the Perkins IV legislation and information on implementing career pathways.
States' Career Clusters
This Web site has more information on the national career clusters initiative. The site includes free downloads of sample plans of study, knowledge and skill charts, and a career clusters interest worksheet.
Page last updated in July 2008.
