SD Career Profiles

Discover Career Interests

This library of Career Profiles provides descriptions of related careers and accompanying South Dakota information, including job demand, mid-range annual salary and education degrees typically acquired in preparation for these occupations. Data was drawn from the SD Department of Labor & Regulation and US Department of Labor statistics.

SD Career Profiles and Degrees

Explore our growing library of Career Profiles when exploring careers in South Dakota and how to prepare for them.

*The above career profiles show examples of how individuals might grow into related occupations, and how degrees are often stackable (meaning completed courses and programs can often support the attainment of the next-level credential). Individuals can enter these career fields at nearly any occupation, but work experience factors into attainment of higher-level positions and salary ranges. There may be required exams, certifications and licensures necessary to practice in certain careers not mentioned in the profiles.

Explore Your Interests through Career Clusters

Exploring the 16 nationally recognized career clusters is an amazing way to begin career exploration. To understand where your interests align with career clusters, take the Career Matchmaker assessment on SDMyLife. This is a 36-question assessment that determines your top two career clusters and shows lists of career options that align with your interests.

SDMyLife is free for all 6-12 grade students in South Dakota. Students can log in with their school email (K12) credentials or request their username from an educator or school counselor at their school.

Career Matchmaker - SDMyLife Login Learn More About Career Clusters

Find SD Career Profiles by Career Cluster

1. Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster encompasses one of South Dakota’s biggest industries, and virtually everyone on the planet is impacted by it. This cluster prepares learners for careers in the planning, implementation, production, management, processing and marketing of agricultural commodities and services.

SD Career Profiles

No profiles currently available.

This career cluster has seven pathways:

  • Agribusiness Systems
  • Animal Systems
  • Environmental Service Systems
  • Food Products & Processing Systems
  • Natural Resources Systems
  • Plant Systems
  • Power, Structural & Technical Systems

2. Architecture & Construction

Workers in the Architecture and Construction career cluster design, plan, manage, build and maintain the built environment. If you enjoy working on new structures, restorations, additions, alterations, and repairs, a career in this field might be for you.

SD Career Profiles

 

This career cluster has three pathways:

  • Design/Pre-Construction
  • Construction
  • Maintenance/Operations

3. Arts, A/V Technology & Communications

Creative students who see themselves designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content are fit for a career in the Arts, A/V technology and Communication career cluster. You will apply artistic talent to practical problems and learn visual arts principles that prepare you with skills and techniques to work in any number of creative design and entertainment fields.

SD Career Profiles

 

This career cluster has six pathways:

  • A/V Technology & Film
  • Printing Technology
  • Visual Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Journalism & Broadcasting
  • Telecommunications

4. Business Management & Administration

Business Management and Administration careers encompass planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions that are essential to efficient and productive business operations. Career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy and require specific skills in organization, time management, customer service and communication.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • General Management
  • Business Information Management
  • Human Resources Management
  • Operations Management
  • Administrative Support

5. EDUCATION & TRAINING

The Education and Training career cluster is a diverse cluster which prepares learners for careers in planning, managing, and providing education and other related learning support services. If you enjoy motivating others, working with children, assisting those who need help and seeing others succeed, a career in the Education and Training cluster may be for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has three pathways:

  • Administration & Administrative Support
  • Professional Support Services
  • Teaching/Training

6. FINANCE

Money is what makes the world go round. OK, maybe not… but to those hard at work in the Finance cluster, sometimes it can sure feel like it. If you speak the language of mathematics fluently, finance is likely a good place for you to end up. And the Finance cluster is always in need of a good analytical mind. South Dakota, particularly Sioux Falls, is a central hub for some of the biggest banks in the nation, including Citibank, Wells Fargo and Premier Bankcard.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • Securities & Investments
  • Business Finance
  • Accounting
  • Insurance
  • Banking Services

7. GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Professionals in the Government and Public Administration cluster plan and execute government functions at local, state, and federal levels. Anyone who has a hand in the day-to-day operations of the government works within this cluster. If you have a passion for serving our country and are an organized individual, this cluster may be for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has seven pathways:

  • Governance
  • National Security
  • Foreign Service
  • Planning
  • Revenue and Taxation
  • Regulation
  • Public Management & Administration

8. HEALTH SCIENCES

The Health Science career cluster orients students with careers that promote health, wellness, and diagnosis as well as treat injuries and diseases. Some of the careers involve working directly with people, while others involve researching, collecting and formatting data and information. If these topics interest you, Health Sciences might be the way to go.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • Therapeutic Services
  • Diagnostic Services
  • Health Informatics
  • Support Services
  • Biotechnology Research and development

9. HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

Hospitality and Tourism is a prominent career cluster in the Mount Rushmore State. This cluster prepares individuals for employment in careers that work with food/beverage services, lodging, travel and tourism, recreation, amusement and attractions. If you are intrigued by the idea of helping others explore the beauty, culture and cuisine of the world around them, a career in Hospitality and Tourism may be for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has four pathways:

  • Restaurants & Food/Beverage
  • Services
  • Lodging
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Recreation, Amusements & Attractions

10. HUMAN SERVICES

The Human Services cluster includes careers that improve quality of life and promotes safe, healthy communities. Workers in human services better our lives by tending to our psychological, social, and physical needs. If you are looking for a job relating to families and human needs, check out the careers in this cluster.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • Early Childhood Development & Services
  • Counseling & Mental Health Services
  • Family & Community Services
  • Personal Care Services
  • Consumer Services

11. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

With information technology constantly changing and advancing, this cluster is sure to have an ongoing high demand of workers. If you are skilled in keeping up with the constantly advancing technology industry, this cluster may have the right career for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has four pathways:

  • Network Systems
  • Information Support & Services
  • Interactive Media
  • Programming & Software Development

12. LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS & SECURITY

The Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security career cluster prepares students for careers in planning, managing, and providing legal services including homeland security, public safety, and protective services. If you feel you would enjoy an occupation where you can “serve and protect,” a career in the Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security cluster may be just what you are looking for.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • Correction Services
  • Emergency & Fire Management Services
  • Security & Protective Services
  • Law Enforcement Services
  • Legal Services

13. MANUFACTURING

Manufacturing is one of South Dakota’s largest industries. If you are interested in planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into final products, a career in this cluster may be for you.

SD Career Profiles

  • No profiles currently available

This career cluster has six pathways:

  • Production
  • Manufacturing Production Process Development
  • Maintenance, Installation & Repair
  • Quality Assurance
  • Logistics & Inventory Control
  • Health, Safety & Environmental Assurance

14. MARKETING

This cluster is ideal for the creative individuals who still get a thrill out of giving a sales pitch. Creativity paired with solid people skills are essential in the Marketing cluster. Effective communication is also a must. Since most of what we buy is fulfilling a want rather than an actual need, consumers are largely driven by effective marketing. Today’s global marketplace has made the industry even more competitive. People representing this cluster largely influence our decisions to buy through brand advertising, creative messaging and product placement.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has five pathways:

  • Marketing Management
  • Professional Sales
  • Merchandising
  • Marketing Communications
  • Marketing Research

15. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH

Workers in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) career cluster provide solutions to technical problems across many industries. If you think creatively, wonder how to make things better and can apply what you’ve learned in math and science classes to solve real-world problems, a career in STEM may be for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has two pathways:

  • Engineering & Technology
  • Science & Math

16. TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION & LOGISTICS

In the Transportation, Distribution & Logistics career cluster, professionals are involved in the planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and products by road, air, rail and water. Careers also include the logistic services and maintenance of all things included. If you are always on the go, this cluster may have a career for you.

SD Career Profiles

This career cluster has seven pathways:

  • Transportation Operations
  • Logistics Planning & Management Services
  • Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations
  • Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance
  • Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation
  • Health, Safety & Environmental Management
  • Sales & Service

Related Resource

Career Exploration

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