Career Fields VS Career Areas: Everything you need to know

Choosing a career path can be overwhelming. With so many options available, it's essential to understand the various career areas and career fields. This blog post will delve into some of the most popular career areas and fields, providing insights and tips to help you make informed decisions regarding your career. 

Career Fields VS Career Areas

Difference between career areas and career fields

• What are Career Areas

Career areas are broad categories of occupations that involve similar skills, knowledge and abilities. In simple English career areas are faculties. Faculties are departments or groups of related departments in a college or university. For example a university/college can group Engineering, built environment and technology into one career area/faculty. A university/college can have up to 10 faculties that learners can choose from. Each career area has various career fields.

• What are Career Fields

Career fields are a particular branch of study. A career field is an umbrella term for a list of related careers. In simple terms a career field is a grouping of careers that are related. Career fields are ways of categorizing different types of jobs based on common similarities. These categories help learners to narrow down their career choices so they can choose a specific path that is suitable for them.

Career fields help learners determine work places they desire working in. For example a career area of Engineering, built environment and information technology can have the following career fields; architecture, engineering support, automotive support, artisans, geology, mining, surveying and computer science. Career fields are not necessarily courses. Under each career fields there are various courses that universities and colleges offer. 

In essence, career areas provide a general overview of the types of work available, while career fields offer a more detailed breakdown of specific professions within those areas. Both terms can be helpful in understanding the vast landscape of career options and guiding your career exploration.

Examples of career areas and career fields

Healthcare (Career Area)

• Medical professionals (Career Field)
• Allied health (Career Field)
• Healthcare administration (Career Field)

Technology (Career Area)

• Software development (Career Field)
• Information technology (Career Field)
• Hardware engineering (Career Field)

Business and Finance (Career Area)

• Accounting (Career Field)
• Marketing (Career Field)
• Management (Career Field)
• Finance (Career Field)

Education (Career Area)

• Teaching (Career Field)
• Educational administration (Career Field)
• Counselling (Career Field)

Creative Arts (Career Area)

• Design (Career Field)
• Writing (Career Field)
• Performing arts (Career Field)

Evaluate career areas, career fields, qualifications and job opportunities

Below we have listed career areas, career fields, qualifications and possible job opportunities. This will help you understand better career areas and career fields. Consider the type of work environment that best suits your personality and lifestyle when choosing a career. Do you thrive in the structured setting of an office, or do you crave the freedom and unpredictability of outdoor work?

Career Area: Engineering, Built Environment and Technology

Career field: Architecture

Workplace: Construction sites, factories and outdoor, indoor (meeting with clients), 

Qualifications: Diploma in Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture

Job Opportunities: Architectural designer, Architectural historian, Urban planner, Industrial architect, Landscape architect, Architectural project manager, Commercial architect and Historic preservation architect.

Career field: Engineering

Workplace: Outdoor, mining, offices and construction sites, corporations, government agencies, research institutions and consulting firms.

Qualifications: Diploma in Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering Technology 

Job Opportunities: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechatronics Engineer, Mining Engineer, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Industrial Engineer and Computer Engineering. 

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Career Area: Nature, Agriculture and Environment

Career field: Agriculture and Farming

Workplace: Parks, farms, Agribusiness organisations, Agricultural research facilities, Animal sanctuaries
Animal welfare organisations, Government (local, national or provincial), Higher education institutions (public and private universities, universities of technology & colleges), Research councils (eg South African Agricultural Research Council) SABS and Veterinary practices (as a veterinary assistant)

Qualifications: Diploma in Agricultural Management, Diploma in Animal Health, Diploma in Nature Conservation, Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science Animal Science, Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science Plant Science, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Botany and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Chemistry ETC...

Job Opportunities: Agriculture advisor, Agricultural economist, Agricultural laboratory technician, Agriculture consultant, Agriculture development officer, Agriculture extension officer, Agricultural scientist, Animal welfare assistant, Agricultural technician, Animal breeder, Animal health technician, Animal scientist, Farm manager, Farming scientist, Food safety consultant and Plant scientist
 

Career field: Geography and Archaeology

Workplace: Outdoor, laboratories, office, museums, historic sites, government agencies schools and universities

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Geographical and Archaeological Studies, Diploma in Geology, Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology. 

Job Opportunities: Environmental Assessment, Urban and Rural Development, Climate Change and Carbon Credit, Meteorology and Weather Forecasting, Geologist, Archaeologist, Academic researcher, Conservator, Heritage manager, Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer, Museum education officer, Museum/gallery curator and 
Museum/gallery exhibitions officer
 

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Career Area: Humanities and Art

Career Field: Film and Television

Workplace: Outdoor, studios and broadcasting corporations

Qualifications: Diploma in Film and Television, BA in film and television production, and Diploma in Performing and Production Arts.

Job Opportunities:  Actor, film producer, film director, film scriptwriter, playwriter, script editor and casting director, VFX editor, Camera operator, Location manager, Production assistant, Broadcast journalist, Production manager, Assistant director, Film editor, Cinematographer, Lighting technician, Programme researcher, Sound technician and Production coordinator.

Career Field: Languages and Journalism

Workplace: Media offices, languages practices and publishing companies.

Qualifications: Diploma/Bachelor in Communication, journalism, Information science, Languages, linguistics, media studies and language practice

Job Opportunities: Writer, journalist, copywriter, Translator, interpreter, Marketing communication specialist, industrial journalist, public relations practitioner, media planner, communications practitioner, social media strategist, publicity coordinator, General language practitioner,  editor or proof reader, language adviser, consultant, technologist, editor/publisher, columnist, language planner.

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Understanding the difference between career areas and career fields can help you narrow down your choices and make informed decisions about your future. Career areas provide a broad overview of the types of work available, while career fields offer a more detailed breakdown of specific professions within those areas. Both terms can be valuable in your career exploration.

Conclusion

By evaluating career areas, career fields, qualifications, and job opportunities, you can identify the paths that align with your interests, skills, and values. Remember, the key to finding a fulfilling career is to explore your options, research different fields, and make informed choices.