Architecture and construction offer a great variety of career opportunities. People with many different talents and educational backgrounds—designers, managers, clerical workers, engineers, truck drivers, trades workers, and construction helpers—find job opportunities in the construction industry. Houses, apartments, factories, offices, schools, roads, and bridges are only some of the products of the construction industry. This industry's activities include the building of new structures as well as additions and modifications to existing ones. The industry also includes maintenance, repair, and improvements on these structures. The construction industry is divided into three major segments: 1) construction contractors or general contractors, who build residential, industrial, or commercial structures, 2) heavy and civil engineering construction contractors build sewers, roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, and other projects, and 3) specialty trade contractors perform specialized activities related to construction such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, and electricalwork.

POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS WITHIN THIS CAREER CLUSTER:

Architectural Design, Construction Manager, Maintenance/Repair Worker, Construction Worker, and Design/Pre-Construction, Construction/Building Contractor, Heavy Construction, Civil Engineers, Specialty Trade Contractors