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Focusing on an Industry Cluster

Focus on a Cluster

Once a student has gained a basic level of familiarity with their goals, they are encouraged to focus on specific industries.

The Center for Student Professional Development has divided the world of work into seven different groups, or industry clusters. The cluster(s) a student may be involved with might be independent from a student's major. For example, English majors sometimes find themselves in the music industry and Engineering majors may find themselves on Wall Street.

With the cluster approach, students can explore their interests in various fields and see how they can apply what they have learned through their courses of study to their field of interest. Additionally, this may more effectively facilitate the specific needs of each industry and provide students with more targeted information in their life mapping process.

Each of the below clusters provide tailored programs, events, workshops, and coaching geared specifically to the needs of the students identified within them and the employers looking for qualified students. All clusters have resume and cover letter samples as well as a listserv associated with them. Take a look around and let us know if you have any questions.

Industries by Cluster

  • Arts, Media, Communications
    (Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, Creative Arts: Music, Dance, Photography, Entertainment: New Media, TV, and Film, Fiction and Non Fiction Publishing: Writing, Journalism, and Illustration, Television and Radio Broadcasting, Museums, Galleries, Auction Houses, Architecture, Culinary Arts)
  • Consulting, Management (Leadership Training Programs), Human Resources
    (Consulting, Management (Leadership Training Programs), Human Resources, Sales, Hospitality, Tourism, Restaurant Industry, Fashion, Sports)
  • Education, Community Organizations, and Nonprofits
    (K-12, Higher Education, Community Organizations, Nonprofits, Ministry, Social Services, Mental Health)
  • Engineering, Information Technology
    (Engineering, Aeronautical, Automotive, Oil, Gas & Electric, Consumer Products, Process Design, Construction, Structures, Transportation, Defense, Electronics, Systems, Technology, Computers, Software, IT, Medical Devices)
  • Finance, Real Estate, Insurance
    (Finance, Banking, Corporate Finance, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, Venture Capital, Real Estate, Actuarial, Insurance)
  • Health Care
    (Health Care, Medicine, Global Healthcare, Public Health, Health Care Policy, Pharmaceuticals, BioTechnology)
  • Public Policy, Government, and Law
    (Public Policy, Think Tanks, Human Rights, Poverty, International Development, International Relations, Military, Government, Politics, Law