Career Cluster

Education, Training & Human Development

In the Intelligence Age, education isn’t just a job sector — it’s a critical infrastructure for human potential. As AI changes tasks and skills faster than job titles, the people who help others learn, adapt, and grow become even more valuable. Opportunity is rising in modern teaching, workforce training, coaching, learning design, and youth development — especially where human connection, motivation, and judgment matter.

Avg cluster salary ~$72K / year
Projected growth ~8–16% (2024–2034)
AI exposure Moderate — AI supports content + planning; humans lead relationships, motivation, inclusion, and feedback
Primary Interest Style Alignment S — Social (Helping/teaching) A — Artistic (Learning design + creativity) E — Enterprising (Program leadership) I — Investigative (Learning science) C — Conventional (Structure + measurement)
Projected Growth Signal
+12%
Human development becomes a competitive advantage

As automation grows, the demand increases for educators, coaches, trainers, and learning designers who can build durable human skills — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and adaptability.

High-Opportunity Sub-Clusters Top Emerging Roles Skills Map Pathways & Experience RIASEC Fit

Highest-Opportunity Sub-Clusters

When collapsed, you’ll see the basics. Click any sub-cluster to reveal the technical and human skills that make it strong.

Modern Teaching & Learning (K–12 / Higher Ed)

High-impact instruction with modern tools, evidence-based strategies, and inclusive learning environments.

~6–12% projected growth Avg salary: ~$68K

Learning Experience Design (LXD) & Instructional Design

Designing engaging learning journeys for schools and workplaces, blending pedagogy, UX, and media.

~10–18% projected growth Avg salary: ~$90K

Workforce Training & Career Readiness

Preparing learners for changing work — skills-based training, credential pathways, and real-world practice.

~10–16% projected growth Avg salary: ~$80K

Youth Development, Coaching & Student Support

Supporting learning through mentorship, advising, counseling, and social-emotional development.

~10–18% projected growth Avg salary: ~$62K

Top Emerging Roles

These roles sit at the intersection of learning, human skills, and modern tools.

Learning Experience Designer (LXD)

Designs modern learning journeys using learning science, storytelling, and digital tools.

~$95K Avg salary Growth: ~10–18%
Technical skills
  • Learning design + storyboarding
  • Content tools (slides, video, eLearning)
  • Measurement + iteration mindset
Human skills
  • Audience empathy + clarity
  • Creative thinking
  • Stakeholder collaboration

Workforce Development / Career Readiness Specialist

Builds skills-based training and supports learners in connecting strengths to future-ready pathways.

~$80K Avg salary Growth: ~10–16%
Technical skills
  • Program design + facilitation
  • Career pathways + labor market awareness
  • Assessment and coaching tools
Human skills
  • Motivation + confidence building
  • Communication
  • Adaptability

Instructional Coach / Teacher Leader

Supports educators in improving practice through feedback, modeling, and data-informed coaching.

~$78K Avg salary Growth: ~6–12%
Technical skills
  • Instructional strategies + differentiation
  • Observation, feedback, and coaching cycles
  • Assessment literacy
Human skills
  • Empathy and trust-building
  • Clear feedback and communication
  • Leadership and collaboration

Youth Coach / Student Success Coach

Supports students with goal-setting, motivation, resilience, and navigating academic/career decisions.

~$62K Avg salary Growth: ~10–18%
Technical skills
  • Coaching frameworks and advising
  • Program coordination + resource navigation
  • Basic progress tracking + reporting
Human skills
  • Emotional intelligence + active listening
  • Trust-building
  • Conflict navigation + resilience support

Corporate Trainer / Enablement Specialist

Designs and delivers learning programs that improve performance, onboarding, and skills development in organizations.

~$88K Avg salary Growth: ~8–14%
Technical skills
  • Facilitation + learning program design
  • Measurement (KPIs, learning impact)
  • Tooling (LMS, content platforms)
Human skills
  • Presence, storytelling, and clarity
  • Stakeholder alignment
  • Adaptability

Top Skills Map

Skills build from cluster-level foundations, to sub-cluster specializations, to role-specific capabilities — across both technical and human skills.

Cluster-Level Skills

Useful across education, training, and development roles.

Technical
Learning design basicsFacilitationAssessment literacyGoal-setting frameworksDigital learning tools
Human skills
EmpathyCommunicationPatienceMotivationAdaptability

Sub-Cluster Specializations

Skills that deepen expertise in each sub-area.

Technical
DifferentiationCoaching cyclesLearning analyticsCurriculum designProgram management
Human skills
Trust-buildingFeedbackConflict navigationStakeholder alignment

Role-Specific Skills

Mapped to the roles above.

Technical
LXD: design + iterateTrainer: deliver + measureCoach: support + guide Teacher leader: model + feedbackCareer readiness: pathways
Human skills
JudgmentPresenceResponsibilityClarityLearning agility

Pathways: How to Learn & Gain Experience

Students can enter through education majors, psychology/human development, communications, or specialized training roles — plus real-world experience working with people.

College Majors & Programs

Common majors feeding into education and human development roles.

  • Education (Elementary/Secondary/Special Education)
  • Psychology, Human Development, Sociology
  • Communications, English, Media (for learning design + facilitation)
  • Instructional Design / Learning Sciences (where available)
  • Organizational Development / HR (for corporate training paths)

Practical Experience & Self-Guided Learning

Concrete ways to build skills and proof of impact.

  • Tutor or mentor: after-school programs, community centers, peer tutoring.
  • Lead a workshop: study skills, time management, emotional intelligence.
  • Design learning content: mini lessons, videos, study guides, or a micro-course.
  • Volunteer: youth programs, coaching, community education initiatives.
  • Create a portfolio: sample lesson plans, facilitation clips, reflections, and outcomes.

RIASEC Alignment

How your Interest Style connects to success and satisfaction in Education, Training & Human Development.

S — Social: The core fit — teaching, coaching, mentoring, advising, and helping others grow. Social students often thrive in roles built on relationships, communication, and support.

A — Artistic: Important for designing engaging learning experiences, storytelling, and creative instruction.

E — Enterprising: Useful for leading programs, building initiatives, and driving adoption and impact.

I — Investigative: Supports learning science, data-informed instruction, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

C — Conventional: Helps with structure, planning, tracking progress, and building reliable systems for learning.

Pathfinder uses your RIASEC profile to highlight which sub-clusters and roles are most likely to feel energizing — and which skills to build first.