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What is a Career Pathway?

Explore your career options by looking at which jobs can lead to better jobs. Do you know which career path you are on?

A career cluster is a group of careers that share common features. A career pathway is a smaller group of jobs within a career cluster that use similar skills. Each career cluster contains several career pathways.

You can start in a lower-level job in a career pathway. With more education and experience, you can move up within that pathway.

Here are a few examples of career paths:

  • "Logistics and Inventory Control" is a pathway within the Manufacturing career cluster. Possible advancement within this pathway could be:
    • Shipping Clerk → Purchasing Agent → Purchasing Manager
  • "Administrative Support" is a path within the Business career cluster. Possible advancement within this pathway could be:
    • Receptionist → Office Clerk → Office Manager
  • "Restaurants and Food and Beverage Services" is a pathway within the Hospitality and Tourism cluster. Possible advancement within this pathway could be:
    • Food Server → Short-Order Cook → Head Chef

When you look for a new job, it's better to find a job that's within the same career cluster or pathway, instead of hopping from job to job.

Staying in a career pathway increases your chances of moving into higher-paying jobs that interest you and use your skills.

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