Technological advances and global competition have transformed the nature of work.  Tomorrow's jobs will require more knowledge, better skills, and more flexible workers than ever before.  Tomorrow's workers must be prepared to change jobs and careers several times, continually updating their knowledge and skills.

To prepare today's students for tomorrow, schools are working to help students achieve in challenging subjects.  One key approach to this goal is to provide students with relevant contexts for learning. Career clusters link what students learn in school with the knowledge and skills they need for success in college and careers.

Career clusters identify pathways from secondary school to two- and four-year colleges, graduate school, and the workplace, so students can learn in school about what they can do in the future.  This connection to future goals motivates students to work harder and enroll in more rigorous courses.

By grouping several career clusters together in a career academy, students have the opportunity to experience a variety of relevant experiences related to a common, overall career theme. The career academies will also make it easier for students to change from one cluster to another as their interests might change.

Students can use career clusters to investigate a wide range of career choices. The career cluster approach makes it easier for students to understand the relevance of their required courses and helps them select their elective courses more wisely.

Parents can learn what academic and technical courses their children need for college and a variety of career fields.  Clusters and the high standards that go with them reassure parents that their children will be fully prepared for college and the workplace.

Download the Spartanburg Five Academy/Cluster/Major Listing HERE!

States' Career Clusters Initiative, 2005, www.careerclusters.org

Designing, producing, exhibiting, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.

Architectural and Mechanical Design - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to, designing, residential and commercial structures and /or creating detailed drawings related to engineering and manufacturing.

Audio and Video Technology and Film - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to audio and video systems, video graphics, and related technologies.

Broadcasting - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to audio/video operations and management 

English – This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the study of the English Language. 

Journalism - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to journalism through print media.

Performing Arts – This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to performing drama, dance, and music through the performing arts. 

Visual Arts - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to areas such as art, photography, graphics, illustration, and design.

Planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.

Business Information Management - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to management ranging from facilities management to public relations specialists, to entrepreneurs.

General Management - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating all or part of a business organization.

Working with clients either in one time transactions at a financial institution or as trusted confidants who fully manage their client’s wealth.

Accounting - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting records for the purpose of giving advice or preparing statements.

Managing, marketing, and operating restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel related services.

Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services- This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to preparation, service, and management related to restaurants and the food and beverage industry.

Designing, developing, supporting and managing of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. 

Web and Digital Communications - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to  designing and producing interactive multimedia products.

Planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services. 

Modern Languages - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the mastery of a modern language.

Teaching and Training - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to teaching pre-kindergarten through post secondary and business/industry training. 

Executing governmental functions including governance; national security; foreign service; planning; revenue and taxation; regulation; and administration at the local, state, and federal levels.

National Security - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the organization and functions of the military including basic life and leadership skills.

Social Sciences - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the study of human aspects of the world.

Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.

Biotechnology Research and Development - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to biochemistry, bioinformatics, genetics, microbiology, toxicology, and bio-related research.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to providing restorative and investigative services related to care and well being.  

Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs such as family, community, or personal care services. 

Family and Community Services - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to meeting human needs through community, faith-based, human or social services.

Personal Care Services - This academic major provides students with the opportunity to develop skills specifically related to personal needs. 

Planning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. 

Emergency and Fire Management Services - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to providing communities with a wide variety of fire protection, fire prevention, emergency medical and emergency preparedness services.

Law Enforcement Services - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to the duties and responsibilities of police, courts and corrections personnel.

Legal Studies - This academic major lets students develop skills specifically related to the study of the law and society.

 Producing, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and developing agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.

Horticulture - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the general production and processing of domesticated plants, shrubs, flowers, foliage, trees, ground covers, and related plant materials; the management of technical and business operations connected with horticultural services; and the basic scientific principles needed to understand plants and their management and care.

Natural Resources - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to habitat conservation, forest products, parks and recreation, mining, environmental services, and soil conservation.

Plant and Animal Systems - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to agronomics, horticulture, forestry, turf, small/large animals, wildlife animals, and research animals.

Designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment.

Carpentry - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to building commercial, industrial, and residential structures. 

Planning, managing, and processing materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.

Machine Tool Technology - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to manufacture, fabrication and assembly processes using machine tools.

Production Technician - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to assembling and testing production materials and/or building and testing prototypes.

Welding - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to manufacture, fabrication and assembly processes using the welding process.

Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional/technical services (e.g. physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory/testing services, and research/ development services.

Engineering and Technology - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to working with systems that are designed to utilize resources to improve human potential.

Science - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to science.

Planning, managing, and moving people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail, and water and related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment, and facility maintenance. 

Automotive Body Repair - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the repair of automotive bodies.

Transportation Operations and Systems - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to the logistical operations of transportation systems.

Vehicle Maintenance and Service - This academic major of study lets students develop skills specifically related to maintenance and service of transportation vehicle systems.