Within the broader career field of Arts, Communications, and Information Systems is the arts, audio/video technology, and communications career cluster. This career cluster contains roughly 2,000 current jobs in Central Minnesota and has five career pathways. Printing technology has the highest employment with 740 jobs, followed by telecommunications with 640, while the performing arts pathway has comparatively low employment (Figure 1).

Researching different career pathways and narrowing down actual occupations is a good approach. This career cluster includes 14 different occupations ranging from floral designers and musicians to printing press operators and telecommunications equipment installers.
 

Figure 2 provides current employment levels and the typical range of wages. While half of all jobs in Central Minnesota pay within the range in Figure 2, that also means that one quarter of jobs pay less than the low end, and a quarter of jobs pay more than the high end. Typically new or entry-level workers looking to build their skillset will find employment at the low end of the wage range, while experienced, highly skilled workers are often compensated at higher rates.

Educational requirements range from a high school diploma or less to a bachelor’s degree, offering various opportunities regardless of educational attainment. Occupations with low educational requirements but high wages – telecommunication equipment installers and repairers – require a high level of skill despite little formal education. Skills for jobs like these are most often gained through on-the-job training, apprenticeships, or a related post-secondary credential.

The key to being successful in any of these fields is research and exploration to find the best fit. For those looking to work in the arts, communications, and information systems career field, consider how skills, natural abilities, and passion can help narrow down an occupation. To explore the career field, use this link to navigate the various career pathways

For More Information

Contact Luke Greiner at 320-308-5378.