When unemployment is high and job openings are few and far between, job seekers can often find help at their local community college. Many community colleges offer assistance to the unemployed who seek new career opportunities as well as the employed exploring career change opportunities. Many larger institutions help job seekers identify the right career options for them and offer assistance finding that new job.
Why Job Seekers Should Turn to Community Colleges
The unemployed job seeker and the employed career changer should check with their local two year college to learn what programs are available. Often, they will find assistance they cannot get elsewhere. Some programs are free of charge while others are available for a nominal fee. Individuals may find job postings and career fairs to help them identify opportunities. They may also have resume writing and interviewing assistance available to help them secure that perfect new job.
Not only to the two year colleges offer assistance finding and securing new career opportunities, but they also help career changes develop the new skill sets they will need. Work Force Investment Act (WIA) funds may be available to displaced workers so they can enroll at their local college and retrain for a new career.
Job Search and Career Change Programs at Community College
Programs vary from college to college. Larger two year institutions tend to offer a variety of services. Smaller institutions may have less to offer. However, those seeking that new perfect job owe it to themselves to find out what programs may be available to them.
A review of the offerings at a few colleges will help eliminate the opportunities that may be available. The programs at the following colleges illustrate some of these.
Mt. Hood Community College, Gresham, Oregon
Mt. Hood offers a comprehensive program called Steps to Success. The college has partnered with Portland Community Colleges, Oregon Adult and Family Services (AFS), Oregon Employment Department, WorkSystems Inc, and others. The wide range of services that include Career and skill assessment, Career counseling and Job Placement Services
Johnson County Community College (JCCC), Overland Park, Kansas
In the area of Jobs and Career Services, JCCC offers many programs for job seekers such as career counseling sessions and interviewing practice. Some services have a fee, like the resume writing service for the general public. However, students and alumni of the college can get help for free. There is a page entitled Job Seeker Tool Kit that provides a variety of resources, including a list of recommended sites that provide resume advice and much more.
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio
Cuyahoga is one of many colleges across the country that sponsor job fairs. These events provide excellent opportunities for job seekers to meet with local employers who have job openings.
Tarrent County College, Fort Worth, Texas
Most two-year colleges offer programs for those seeking new professional careers. Tarrent County is an example. Four campuses serve career changers with numerous career programs ranging from Automotive and Engine Technology to Real Estate Licensure.
As can be seen from these examples, community colleges offer a variety of programs and services to help job seekers identify and secure new career opportunities.
Paul Hummel - My name is Paul Hummel, and learning has been a life-long pursuit of mine. I began post secondary quest in 1965, and it earned me three ...
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