McDowell County Schools CTE Career Clusters & Pathways

 

CONSTRUCTION CAREER CLUSTER

The Construction Career Cluster focuses on professions involved in designing, planning, managing, and executing projects in the built environment. It emphasizes sustainable building practices to ensure that structures are both environmentally responsible and resilient. Careers in this cluster are pivotal in creating durable infrastructure that meets present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own, covering a range of roles from architects and engineers to construction managers and skilled tradespeople. Pathways that students may pursue within the Construction Career Cluster include:

  • Carpentry
  • HVACR (MTCC Courses)
  • Masonry
  • Welding (MTCC Courses)
  • Woodworking 

SUPPLY CHAIN AND TRANSPORTATION CAREER CLUSTER

The Supply Chain and Transportation Career Cluster encompasses the transfer, coordination, and management of goods from production to consumption, ensuring efficient movement across various modes of transportation including air, ground, and water, as well as maintenance of the respective transport modes. This career cluster integrates logistics and distribution networks to facilitate the seamless flow of materials and products, playing a crucial role in global commerce, economic development, and community health. Pathways that students may pursue within the Supply Chain and Transportation Career Cluster include:

  • Automotive Service

EDUCATION CAREER CLUSTER

The Education Career Cluster spans careers aimed at fostering learning from early childhood to adulthood, including teaching, instructional design, counseling services, community engagement, learner support, and educator training. This career cluster emphasizes quality education standards and lifelong learning, preparing individuals for success through all life stages by nurturing knowledge, skills, and critical thinking, and encouraging personal and societal growth in a constantly evolving world. Pathways that students may pursue within the Education Career Cluster include:

  • Early Childhood Development and Services 
  • Teaching/Training 

HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN SERVICES CAREER CLUSTER

The Healthcare and Human Services Career Cluster promotes whole health in individuals and communities through a diverse array of services. This sector includes technical, mental, and therapeutic services and personal care, supported by medical and social sciences. By addressing social determinants of health and leveraging health data and science, this career cluster aims to enhance the overall health and resilience of individuals, families, and communities. Pathways students can pursue include:

  • Healthcare Professional 

PUBLIC SERVICE AND SAFETY CAREER CLUSTER

The Public Service and Safety Career Cluster encompasses roles in local, state, and federal government; legal and justice systems; security; and military operations, all aimed at promoting civic responsibility and ensuring the well-being, security, functionality, and resilience of communities, states, and countries. Pathways that students may pursue within the Public Service and Safety Career Cluster include:

  • Emergency Medical Technology (MTCC Courses)
  • Firefighter Technology
  • Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
  • Law and Justice
  • Public Safety 

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTER SCIENCE CAREER CLUSTER

The Digital Technology and Computer Science Career Cluster focuses on developing digital systems for communication and data storage using critical technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and cybersecurity. This career cluster builds skills necessary for all careers to navigate and lead in the constantly evolving tech landscape and drives innovation across all industries to tackle complex challenges and opportunities in communities and economies.  This career cluster is also a Connecting and Supporting Success Cluster as the skills gained through this career clusters area are applicable across all career clusters. Practitioners are encouraged to combine content from this cluster across other CTE programs. Pathways that students may pursue within the Digital Technology and Computer Science Career Cluster include:

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems 

MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAREER CLUSTER

The Management and Entrepreneurship Career Cluster involves skills and occupations that are essential across all industries, focusing on business administration, operations optimization, strategic planning, workforce management, and entrepreneurship. It merges key areas such as data management and analysis, human resources, general operations, administrative support, project management, and organizational leadership. This career cluster ensures that businesses across all industries efficiently meet their goals, adapt to market changes, and maintain competitive advantage. By emphasizing entrepreneurship, this career cluster supports the creation of new ventures, driving economic growth and innovation and making it a cornerstone of modern economies. This career cluster is also a Connecting and Supporting Success cluster as the skills gained through this career clusters area are applicable across all career clusters. Practitioners are encouraged to combine content from this career cluster across other CTE programs. Pathways that students may pursue within the Management and Entrepreneurship Career Cluster include:

  • Entrepreneurship

MARKETING AND SALES CAREER CLUSTER

The Marketing and Sales Career Cluster focuses on promoting products, understanding consumer needs, engaging with communities, and driving sales. It integrates digital marketing, data analysis, brand promotion, customer relationship management, strategic communications, human-centered design, and retail strategies to build strong customer connections and support business growth. This career cluster is essential in all industries for creating value, effectively reaching and engaging target audiences, and achieving commercial success in a competitive marketplace. This career cluster is also a Connecting and Supporting Success Cluster as the skills gained through this career cluster area are applicable across all career clusters. Practitioners are encouraged to combine content from this cluster across other CTE programs. Pathways that students may pursue within the Marketing and Sales Career Cluster include:

  • Marketing Management
  • Sales
  • Sport and Event Marketing  

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, AND DESIGN CAREER CLUSTER

The Arts, Entertainment, and Design Career Cluster combines creative roles in visual and performing arts, film, journalism, fashion, interior design, and creative technologies. This career cluster focuses on creating, producing, and sharing artistic and design work across multiple platforms, aiming to entertain, inform, beautify, and inspire. Pathways that students may pursue within the Arts, Entertainment, and Design Career Cluster include:

  • 3D Modeling and Animation
  • Adobe Graphic Design
  • Adobe Video Design
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Game Art Design

HOSPITALITY, EVENTS, AND TOURISM CAREER CLUSTER

The Hospitality, Events, and Tourism Career Cluster encompasses a broad range of services and experiences related to food and beverage, lodging, travel, events, and conferences. This career cluster focuses on delivering quality customer service, memorable experiences, and seamless logistics to cater to the needs and preferences of guests, tourists, and event participants. The career cluster is characterized by its diversity, including everything from luxury hotels and international travel to local dining, cultural events, and business conferences, aiming to enhance the overall experience of visitors and attendees. Pathways that students may pursue within the Hospitality, Events, and Tourism Career Cluster include:

  • Culinary Arts Applications
  • Hospitality and Tourism Management 

AGRICULTURE CAREER CLUSTER

The Agriculture Career Cluster concentrates on scientific advancement of agriscience, cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products, employing advanced technologies and sustainable practices to optimize global food systems. This career cluster also supports other plant- and animal-based industries including regenerative agriculture, sustainable logging, and fisheries. This career cluster has meaningful connections with the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster, highlighting a symbiotic relationship that emphasizes stewardship and resilient communities. Pathways that students may pursue within the Agriculture Career Cluster include:

  • Animal Science
  • Plant Systems

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREER CLUSTER

The Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster spans careers in traditional and renewable fuel production, power generation and energy conversion, utilities, environmental preservation, ecological research, and resource extraction. These industries focus on efficient and responsible resource management, including conservation, transmission, distribution, and storage, to minimize environmental impacts and meet global energy needs. Careers in this cluster are dedicated to creating a sustainable future, innovating cleaner energy solutions, and preserving our planet’s natural resources for generations to come. Pathways that students may pursue within the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster include:

  • Natural Resources