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CURIOCITY CAREER RESOURCE
Exploring Occupational Clusters
www.explorecuriocity.org Copyright Let’s Talk Science ©2017
BLM: Page 1 of 5
Teacher Notes
Introduction:The term “occupational cluster” refers to a way of grouping careers that are similar based on required skills, knowledge, duties, education and working environments. When students are aware of the different occupational clusters, they become aware of the variety of careers available. For example, a student interested in healthcare might believe their only career options are doctor, dentist or nurse. However, while the Healthcare cluster does include these careers, it also includes medical support personnel, lab technicians, physiotherapists, orderlies, and art therapists, to name a few. Career exploration is aided by identifying occupational clusters of interest and then exploring the types of careers available within a cluster.
Purpose:The intent of this activity is to help students recognize the variety of careers available in each occupational cluster. They will also begin to recognize that many of these careers require or benefit from a strong background in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Viewing/reading these profiles may help students make personal connections between their interests and current skills to the people profiled.
What to do:Teachers could begin by leading a class brainstorming session to create a list of occupations (jobs) that are related to science and technology. If necessary, teachers could add some less common STEM careers not identified by students.
Have students review the occupations they have listed. Students may then brainstorm any similarities between the careers. For example a career as a Hospital Lab Technician and a career as a Doctor are both related to healthcare. Students can then brainstorm different categories in which the careers could be clustered.
If they have not already done so, teachers should introduce the concept of occupational clusters as a grouping of careers that are similar based on required skills, knowledge, duties, education and working environments. For example, researcher, science communication manager, senior fisheries certificate manager, agriculture technical writer, family doctor, geneticist, bioarchaeologist, etc., all share similar occupation requirements.
Students will use career profiles available at http://explorecuriocity.org/Explore/ArticleId/4853/careers.aspx to create a crossword from a specific career cluster. A sample is provided below. After they have created their puzzle, students could share them with others with the challenge to see if they can identify the specific career cluster or occupation the puzzle relates to. Alternatively, teachers could provide students with an occupational cluster title and have students go into each cluster to find clues that will complete the crossword. To differentiate, word lists could be provided as necessary.
Teachers could have students use a crossword puzzle maker program, such as https://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/crossword/
CURIOCITY CAREER RESOURCE
Exploring Occupational Clusters
www.explorecuriocity.org Copyright Let’s Talk Science ©2017
BLM: Page 2 of 5
to make the puzzles. Students could explore career clusters using other puzzle formats in addition to crosswords.
Completed crosswords can be placed into students Career Content Portfolios and may be used as an assessment tool by teachers.
Student BLM (Puzzle My Career – Planning Guide)
CURIOCITY CAREER RESOURCE
Exploring Occupational Clusters
www.explorecuriocity.org Copyright Let’s Talk Science ©2017
BLM: Page 3 of 5
Sample student puzzle:Note: the title, “Earth & Environment” would be omitted in the student’s final product.
CURIOCITY CAREER RESOURCE
Exploring Occupational Clusters
www.explorecuriocity.org Copyright Let’s Talk Science ©2017
BLM: Page 4 of 5
CURIOCITY CAREER RESOURCE
Exploring Occupational Clusters
www.explorecuriocity.org Copyright Let’s Talk Science ©2017
BLM: Page 5 of 5
