Advanced Clusters
This career cluster includes careers such as firefighters, corrections officers, and emergency management directors.
What is Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security?
This branch of STEM is focused on the study and application of electricity and circuits.
What is Electrical Engineering?
This organization helps students develop leadership and personal growth through family and consumer sciences.
What is FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)?
One professional skill employers value that can be demonstrated through participation in student organizations.
What is teamwork (or leadership, communication, etc.)?
The first section employers see on a resume, usually listing your name and contact details.
What is Contact Information?
This cluster includes careers such as urban planner, construction manager, and architect.
What is Architecture and Construction?
In Virginia, careers in this STEM field are in high demand due to the growth of cybersecurity.
What is Information Technology?
This organization is tied to agriculture and natural resources and is widely recognized across the U.S.
What is FFA (Future Farmers of America)?
This skill involves analyzing a problem, thinking creatively, and developing a solution — a skill often used in STEM fields.
What is critical thinking (or problem solving)?
A cover letter should always be tailored to this.
What is the specific job (or position) you are applying for?
A career in digital advertising and social media management would belong to this cluster.
What is Marketing, Sales & Service?
Careers in this STEM subfield design systems and machines that convert energy into useful work.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
This student organization is directly linked to preparing future health professionals.
What is HOSA?
This term describes the ability to continue learning and adapting to new tasks throughout a career.
What is lifelong learning?
A resume with vague descriptions such as 'hard worker' or 'team player' is missing these important details.
What are specific examples of skills or experiences?
This cluster includes careers in designing, building, and maintaining products, from assembly line workers to industrial engineers.
What is Manufacturing?
This field of engineering applies principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to develop pharmaceuticals and fuel.
What is Chemical Engineering?
This organization focuses on developing technology and engineering leadership skills through competitions and teamwork.
What is TSA (Technology Student Association)?
The ability to clearly express ideas verbally and in writing is called this professional skill.
What is communication?
When emailing a resume and cover letter, this should always be included in the subject line.
What is the job title or reference number of the position?
Careers in this cluster include developing public policy, managing elections, and working in public administration.
What is Government and Public Administration?
This branch of engineering designs and analyzes structures like bridges, roads, and dams.
What is Civil Engineering?
This organization supports students preparing for technical, trade, and skilled service careers.
What is SkillsUSA?
This professional skill involves analyzing situations, generating creative solutions, and evaluating outcomes.
What is problem-solving or critical thinking?
A strong resume should be tailored using these keywords that reflect the employer’s requirements in the job posting.
What are job-specific keywords or phrases?