A career is a long-term occupation where one can fulfill professional goals and passions. You could hold numerous jobs under different employers in your chosen industry as you progress in your career. Careers may require a certain level of education or training.
Careers often have set salaries with benefits such as medical insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, pensions, and bonuses. Individuals can also gain benefits beyond money, such as personal growth, self-worth, and work satisfaction.


A job is a paid position of regular employment to earn money to support basic needs. It can be full-time or part-time. You might earn an hourly wage or a set paycheck rather than a salary with benefits. You might need specific skills connected with that role, but not all jobs require a specialized degree or advanced training.
A job can be short- or long-term. It is also one single period of employment with a single employer. Sometimes it provides no satisfaction beyond a paycheck.
REALISTIC (Doer)
- Likes working with their hands making and fixing things.
INVESTIGATIVE (Thinker)
- Likes to deal with facts and figures.
ARTISTIC (Creator)
- Likes working with patterns, shapes, and expression.
SOCIAL (Helper)
- Likes working with, teaching, and helping people.
ENTERPRISING (Persuader)
- Likes to lead and make decisions.
CONVENTIONAL (Organizer)
- Likes procedures/routines with a clear line of authority.


Jobs in this cluster include: farmers, food processing plant workers, food scientists, and beekeepers.

Jobs in this cluster include: architects, contractors, carpenters, electricians, draftsmen, and building maintenance.

Jobs in this cluster include: entertainers, artists, musicians, production assistants, set designers, web designers, and cell phone manufacturers & service providers.

Jobs in this cluster include: office managers, administrative assistants, executives, and quality control personnel.

Jobs in this cluster include teachers, trainers, curriculum specialists, tutors, counselors, and education administrators.

Jobs in this cluster: bankers, financial planners, tax preparers, actuaries, insurance agents and investment brokers.

Jobs in this cluster include: local mayor and city council, the state legislators and governor, urban planners, and Parks & Recreation employees.

Jobs in this cluster include: doctors, physical therapists, medical researchers, biomedical engineers, nurses, physician’s assistants, and x-ray technicians.

Jobs in this cluster include: Wait staff, chefs and line cooks, country club tennis and golf professionals, hotel desk clerks, and amusement park workers.

Jobs in this cluster include: loan officers, psychologists, social workers, embalmers, and substance abuse counselors.

Jobs in this cluster include: software engineers, IT support staff, computer engineers and network managers.

Jobs in this cluster include: police officers, firefighters, lawyers, judges, prison guards, and private security officers.

Jobs in this cluster: manufacturing plant line workers, automotive technicians, and electrical engineers.

Jobs in this cluster: sales clerks, advertising executives, commercial artists, and retail workers.

Jobs in this cluster include: hydrologists, computer scientists, chemists, economists, and statisticians.

Jobs in this cluster: truckers, train conductors, airline employees, supply chain analysts and postal workers.
Career Exploration Resources

California Career Zone
CA Career Zone is an incredible resource that utilizes real-time CA data to find careers. View all occupations in the system in a listing that can be filtered to find what you are looking for. Click "Explore Now" to learn more.
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Big Futures: Career Quiz
Sign in with your College Board account to take a 15 minute quiz. Discover what careers your are matched with based on your likes and dislikes. Click "Take Quiz!" to take the quiz.
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Big Futures: Explore Careers
Use Career Search to find out about over 900 careers and what they pay, if they’re hiring, what the work is like, and the education and skills you need to succeed. If you take the Career Quiz, you can explore your personalized recommendations. Click "Explore Now" to start seaching careers.