My Career Clusters

Abby Fain

Career Planning, Mr. Como

Human ServicesMassage TherapistsFashion Designer

Massage TherapistGeneral Overview• Massage therapists prepare individuals to provide relief and

improve health to clients struggling with pain or discomfort.• Massage therapists preform therapeutic massages of soft

tissue and joints. • They may also assist in the assessment of range of motion and

muscle strength or propose client therapy plans.

Skills and tasks• Massage therapists need to be able to speak to their clients,

give full attention to what others are saying, use logical and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• They also need to be able to be aware of people’s reactions and understanding why they react the way that they do.

• Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body.• Maintain treatment records.• Apply hand pressure to specific joints of the body.• Provide guidance and information about techniques for

improvement and stretching, strengthening, and relaxation.• Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which

types of massage are to be used.

Majors/Education• 97 percent of massage therapists graduate college.• Most programs require at least 500 hours of study to complete

the program and others require 1,000 or more.• A high school diploma or equivalent degree is required for

admission.• The required and elective courses you would need to take for

Massage Therapy majors vary, but some include body systems, hydrotherapy, law, physiology, and ethics.

Schools, Universities, and Colleges• Some colleges include Pioneer Pacific College – Wilsonville,

Academy of Career Training, Academy of Cosmetology, Academy of Massage Therapy, and Advanced College.

Salary and related careers• Approximately $35,970 annual and $17.29 hourly.• Hairdressers, skincare specialists, manicurists, fitness trainers

and aerobic instructors.

My Reaction• I would be interested in becoming a massage therapist not

only because I love learning about the body but because I hope to provide relief to other people’s pain the way I’ve been helped through numerous massage therapists.

• Learning about the body and how it works is something I take interest in.

• I only hope to make people feel relaxed and calm throughout the process.

Fashion DesignersGeneral Overview • Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. • They also create original pieces or designs and adapt fashion

trends.

Skills and tasks• Fashion designers need to have active listening while giving full

attention to what other people are saying.• They also need to have good judgment and design making to

consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Fashion designers are required to have critical thinking in order to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns.

• Examine sample garments on and off models.• Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel, and write

specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.

Majors/ Education • Most fashion designers require training in vocational schools,

related on- the- job experience, or an associate’s degree.• General or liberal education electives, English, marketing,

business, and communications courses will expose students to the fashion designing world.

Schools, Universities, and Colleges• Academy of Couture Art, Albright College, American River

College, Bates Technical College, Bay State College, Bauder College, Bennington College, Baylor University

Salary and related careers• On Average, fashion designers make $62,860 annually and

$30.22 hourly.• Related careers include interior designers, desktop publishers,

graphic designers, art directors, and film and video editors.

My Reaction• I would love to be in the fashion world. I’ve always felt that

fashion was art therefore it isn’t just a career but rather a passion.

Hospitality and tourism Concierges Head cooks/ chefs

ConciergesGeneral Overview• Assist patrons at hotel, apartment, or office buildings with

personal services.• May take messages, arrange or give advice on transportation,

business services or entertainment.• Monitor guest requests

Skills and tasks• Active listening – giving full attention to what other people are

saying• Service orientation – actively looking for ways to help people.• Social perceptiveness – being aware of other’s reactions and

understanding why they react as they do.• Speaking – talking to other to convey information effectively.• Coordination – adjusting actions in relation to other’s actions.• Make reservations for guests such as for dinner, or golf fee times.• Provide information about local features.• Pike up and deliver items or run errands for guests.• Provide directions to guests.• Provide business services or translators when patrons require

such services.

Majors/ Education• 37 percent of concierges have a high school diploma or

equivalent, while 30 percent has some college or no degree. 17 percent has an Associate’s degree.

• Post- secondary education is not required to become a concierge.

Schools, Universities, or Colleges• Abilene Christian University, Adams State University, Adelphi

University, Adventist University of Health Sciences, Aiken Technical College

Salary and related careers• Median Annual Wage is $29,480 and the Median Hourly Wage

is $14.17• Employment: $26,000• Retail Salespersons• Customer Service Representatives• Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks• Receptionists and Information Clerks

My Reaction• I would love to become a concierge because being in a hotel

would give me an opportunity to travel the world and become involved with different cultures.

• I’m a friendly person so it wouldn’t be a problem for me.

Chefs General Overview • Chefs direct and participate in the preparation of foods.• They may also plan and price menu items, order supplies, and

keep records and accounts.

Skills and tasks• Chefs need to have coordination to adjust actions in relation to other’s

actions.• They need to have time management to manage their own time and the time

of others.• Need to also have active listening to understand the implications of new

information for both current and future problem- solving and decision- making.

• Also need to have speak properly to others in order to convey information effectively.

• Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.

• Check the quality of the food products.• Estimate amounts of costs of required supplies such as food and ingredients.• Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or

presentation of food.• Order food or other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.

Majors/ Education• Most chefs go to culinary school even though it is not

necessary. • Chefs are usually required to attend special programs in order

to learn advanced skills to become successful.• Vocational training schools, culinary schools, and even some

colleges or universities have programs available for prospective chefs.

Schools, Universities, and Colleges• Erie Community College- City Campus• Albany Technical College• American River College• Alamance Community College

Salary and related Careers• On average, chefs make about $20.42 hourly, and $42,480

annually.• Bakers, Food Service Managers, Industrial Production

Managers.

My Reaction• I would be interested in becoming a chef because I love food,

and I love to make new dishes and recipes, so becoming a chef would be exciting.