Explore Careers by Industry (Illinois)

🔷 Start Exploring Your Options

Choosing a career path begins with understanding what opportunities are available.

This page helps you explore major career industries across Illinois, so you can identify paths that match your interests, strengths, and goals.

👉 Instead of focusing on just one job, you’ll explore entire industries — giving you a clearer picture of what’s possible.

🔷 How to Use This Page

As you explore, focus on:

• What types of work interest you

• The environment you prefer (hands-on, technical, office-based, service-oriented)

• Careers you may want to learn more about

👉 You don’t need to decide right away — just start identifying a few options.

🔷 Explore Career Fields

🏥 Healthcare & Medical Careers

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Medical%20Assistants

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00 (Dental Assistants)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Pharmacy%20Technicians

🔧 Skilled Trades & Construction

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Electricians

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/49-9021.01 (HVAC Technicians)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Plumbers

🏭 Manufacturing & Industrial Careers

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-4011.00 (CNC Machinists)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Industrial%20Maintenance%20Technicians

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Welders

💻 Information Technology (IT)

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Computer%20User%20Support%20Specialists

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1231.00 (Network Support Specialists)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Information%20Security%20Analysts

🏢 Business & Administrative Careers

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Administrative%20Assistants

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-3031.00 (Bookkeeping)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Customer%20Service%20Representatives

🚓 Public Service & Government

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Police%20Officers

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-2011.00 (Firefighters)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Dispatchers

🍽 Hospitality, Retail & Personal Services

Explore examples:

• 👉https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Cooks

• 👉  https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-5012.00 (Cosmetologists)

• 👉  https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Retail%20Supervisors 

🌱 Agriculture, Environmental & Outdoor Careers

Explore examples:

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Landscaping%20Workers

• 👉 https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/19-4091.00 (Environmental Technicians)

• 👉 https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Agricultural%20Workers

🔷 What to Do Next

Once you’ve explored a few industries:

👉 Identify 2–3 careers that interest you
👉 Learn what training is required
👉 Compare your options

🔷 Continue Your Career Plan

👉 Education & Training in Illinois
👉 Scholarships & Grants
👉 Job Fairs & Career Events

🔷 Want Help Turning This Into a Plan?

Exploring careers is the first step — but many people still aren’t sure what to do next.

The companion guide helps you organize your options and build a clear, step-by-step plan.

👉 https://bit.ly/3Nnv4vx