My Career Path Based on the 16 Career Cluster Inventory

I had the opportunity to take the 16 Careers Cluster Inventory. I found the assessment very easy to take. As well, I found the inventory easy to score. My results of the assessment indicated my top three career areas were: 1. Educational and Training, 2. Health Sciences, and 3 had a three way tie between Human Services, Hospitality, and Law enforcement. I found the assessment to be dead on. Based upon the past personality inventories that I have taken I found the suggested areas very appropriate. One of the appealing aspects of the inventory was the easy of taking it! It seemed to gather accurate information without being overly pathological and test-driven.

Upon doing more research on the career clusters I found a very interesting program that the State of Illinois has underway. The program is entitled the Career Clusters and Pathways guide. What the program is intended to do is to improve on the paths that individuals take to get to higher education and careers. The initiative is a statewide approach to improving college and career-oriented programs that leads students to higher education and employment (2013, p. 3).

What the program specifically does is assess the main career clusters that are applicable to the state of Illinois’ economy. The Pathways project focus on the 9 clusters that are of particular importance to state’s economic growth and development. These clusters include: Agriculture Food and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Energy, Finance, Health Science, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Research and Development, and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (2013, p.21).

Subsequently what is done is that selected high schools develop a curriculum that is organized around a specific career cluster, which are like a specialized charter school. The goal is to feature a series advanced “pathway” courses that can help students to enrich their knowledge through work-based learning and academics. In turn, this specialized education will allow student to demonstrate their understanding through assessments and industry credentialing opportunities. As well these schools are enrolled in a learning exchange that have partnerships that are organized to support the programs of study by coordinating statewide networks of education partners, businesses, industry associations, labor, and other organizations (2013, p. 21-23). Consequently, the program is driven to help high school students develop a career path and to receive exploratory education that will given them an advantage in either college endeavors or in the job market.