What is Pathways Day?
- A day for current and prospective students to learn about possible degree and career pathways.
- A day for students to learn about resources and opportunities to enrich their journey.
- An opportunity for current and prospective students to interact with faculty in a non-classroom environment.
When is Pathways Day?
- Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Who Will Attend Pathways Day?
- Current NHCC students
- Previous NHCC students who did not complete a degree
- Prospective students from select local high schools
- Prospective students who have applied or requested information on NHCC
Why is Pathways Day a Great Opportunity?
- Pathways Day offers faculty and staff the opportunity to provide useful and compelling information to a relevant audience.
- We know 30-40% of students coming to NHCC don't know what they want to study and many students change majors.
- For faculty: presenting a program-related session at Pathways Day is a great way for a highly relevant audience to learn about your program and the transfer and career opportunities it can lead to.
- For staff: presenting at Pathways Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of services you provide to students.
What You Can Do
Tabling is a great way to promote an academic program or resource to Pathways Day attendees.
Tabling will be from 1:30-3:20 p.m.
Hosting a table is on a first come, first served basis.
Thank you for considering volunteering at Pathways Day!
Please review the Volunteer Opportunities section of this page.
Make an announcement in D2L
In the weeks leading up to Pathways Day it would be helpful if you could post an announcement in D2L.
Here is a sample email or D2L announcement.
On September 22, NHCC is hosting Pathways Day, an event designed to help students learn about the following topics (and more):
- choosing a program
- being successful in their chosen program
- pursuing a career in a particular field
- utilizing resources and support available on campus extracurricular activities
For a complete list of sessions, visit the Pathways Day schedule page
In addition to the informative sessions, there will be some mid-day fun with Vingo and prizes.
Lunch and dinner will also be provided at no charge (thanks to a generous donation from the Minneapolis Foundation). There will be options available for most dietary restrictions.
I will offer 3 points extra credit toward Test 1 for anyone who attends Pathways Day. (You will need to make sure you sign in at the check-in tables set up on Pathways Day. It may take a couple of weeks for me to receive the list of students who attended; the 3 points will be added once I receive the list.)
Sample Extra Credit Message:
Pathways Day is on September 22! There will be no classes on this day, but several sessions will be offered to help you discover the program that's right for you or find resources to support you in your current program. I understand that attending ‘optional’ days can be challenging, so I'm offering extra credit for participation. If you attend Pathways Day and complete a brief journal entry, you will earn 3 points of extra credit on the next exam. You can find the journal in D2L under the Communications dropdown menu by selecting Discussions.
Pathways Day Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for considering volunteering at Pathways Day 2026!
Please review the volunteer roles and descriptions below and sign up to volunteer.
Best for: Friendly, outgoing, comfortable talking a lot
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 8:30-9:30 (x2); 9:30-10:30 (x5); 10:30-11:30 (x5); 11:30-12:30 (x5); 12:30-1:30 (x4); 1:30-2:30 (x4); 2:30-3:30 (x4); 3:30-4:30 (x4); 4:30-5:30 (x4); 5:30-7:00 (x2)
Check-in location: Center for Business Technology (CBT) Door 13 or Volunteer Room CBT 181
Responsibilities:
- Greet attendees
- Answer basic questions (location of tables, schedule, restrooms, etc.)
- Distribute maps/programs/swag
- Direct traffic and manage lines
Requirements:
- Comfortable initiating conversations
- Basic knowledge of event layout
- Able to stand for most of shift
Best for: Helpful, observant, steady presence
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 8:30-9:30 (x14); 9:30-10:30 (x14); 10:30-11:30 (x14); 11:30-12:30 (x14); 12:30-1:30 (x14); 1:30-2:30 (x14); 2:30-3:30 (x14); 3:30-4:30 (x14); 4:30-5:30 (x14); 5:30-6:30 (x14)
Check-in location: Designated location or Volunteer Room (CBT 181)
Responsibilities:
- Greet attendees, take initiative to engage attendees, do not wait for them to ask you questions
- Direct foot traffic
- Help attendees find check-in, presentations, involvement fair, lunch/dinner
- Support accessibility needs
Requirements:
- Standing/walking
- Giving directions clearly
- Situational awareness
Best for: Helpful, friendly, observant, problem-solver, tech-savvy
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 9:30-10:30 (x15); 10:30-11:30 (x15); 11:30-12:30 (x15); 3:30-4:30 (x9); 4:30-5:30 (x9); 6:00-7:00 (x9)
Check-in location: Designated presentation location or Volunteer Room (CBT 181)
Responsibilities:
- Greet attendees and presenters
- Help presenter’s setup (Examples: PowerPoint, Zoom, closed captions, etc.)
- May need to assist with Zoom chat for remote attendees
Requirements:
- Standing/walking
- Problem solving
- Comfortable with technology
Best for: Helpful, friendly, physical tasks
Interaction level: Medium (3/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30-1:30 (x4); 1:30-2:30 (x4); 4:30-5:30 (x2); 5:30-6:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Campus Center or Volunteer Room (CBT 181)
Responsibilities:
- Greet attendees
- Take meal tickets
- Clearing tables of trash
- Assisting with flow of traffic
- Help attendees know food options
Requirements:
- Standing/walking
- Giving directions clearly
- Putting trash in bins
Best for: Hands-on helpers, minimal social interaction
Interaction level: Low (1/5)
Shifts Available: 7:00-8:00 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Start/Finish line setup
- Set up tables/chairs
- Arrange check-in areas
- Help with power cords and layout
Requirements:
- Comfortable lifting/moving equipment and moving around a lot
Best for: Introvert-friendly, organized, calm
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 7:30-8:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Collect Waivers
- Sign runners in
- Hand out bibs/safety pins
- Answer general questions
- Direct participants to the start
Requirements:
- Comfortable initiating conversations
- Basic knowledge of event layout
- Able to stand for most of shift
Best for: Outgoing, confident speakers, high energy, loves being on the mic
Interaction level: Very High (5/5)
Shifts Available: 7:30-9:30 (x1)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Organize runners
- Lead countdown
- Music
- Communicate start instructions
- Welcome runners at the finish
- Direct participants to snacks/water
- Keep energy positive
Requirements:
- Comfortable speaking to large crowds
- Clear, enthusiastic voice
- Ability to improvise and adapt quickly
- Professional and inclusive language
- Comfortable standing/moving around space
Best for: Introvert-friendly, supportive, helpers
Interaction level: Medium (3/5)
Shifts Available: 7:30-8:30 (x2); 8:30-9:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Hand out water and snacks
- Restock supplies
- Keep area clean
- Cheer on participants
Requirements:
- Lifting/moving snacks and water
- Standing entire shift
- Clean up
Best for: Alert, responsible, comfortable giving directions
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 7:30-9:30 (x4); 8:30-9:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Direct runners along course
- Monitor safety
- Communicate concerns
- Offer encouragement
Requirements:
- Basic knowledge of event layout
- Standing entire shift
- Giving directions clearly
- Situational awareness
Best for: Supportive, helpers
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 7:30-8:30 (x2); 8:30-9:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Hand out medals to finishers
- Monitor safety
- Celebrate finishers
Requirements:
- Lifting/moving medals
- Standing entire shift
- Clean up
Best for: Efficient, physical tasks, low talking
Interaction level: Low (1/5)
Shifts Available: 8:30-9:30 (x2); 9:30-10:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Health and Wellness Center (HWC) Door 7
Responsibilities:
- Take down Start/Finish line
- Break down tables/displays
- Collect signage and supplies
- Load materials for storage
- Clean up space
Requirements:
- Lifting/moving furniture
- Staying until space is cleared
Best for: Hands-on helpers, minimal social interaction
Interaction level: Low (1/5)
Shifts Available: 9:30-10:30 (x5); 10:30-11:30 (x5)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Set up tables/chairs
- Place signage and decorations
- Arrange check-in areas
- Help with power cords and layout
Requirements:
Comfortable lifting/moving equipment and moving around a lot
Best for: Friendly, outgoing, comfortable talking a lot
Interaction level: High (4/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30-1:30 (x2); 1:30-2:30 (x2); 2:30-3:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Greet attendees and vendor
- Answer basic questions (location of tables, schedule, restrooms, etc.)
- Distribute maps/programs/swag
- Get attendees signed in for prize drawing
- Share out resource bingo handout and explain the rules of the game
- Direct traffic and manage lines
- Help late vendors find assigned spaces
Requirements:
- Comfortable initiating conversations
- Basic knowledge of event layout
- Able to stand for most of shift
Best for: Outgoing, confident speakers, high energy, loves being on the mic
Interaction level: Very High (5/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30pm-1:30pm (x2); 1:30-2:30 (x2); 2:30-3:30 (x2)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Welcome attendees and kick off the event
- Make periodic announcements (prize drawing winners, resource bingo winners, reminders, sponsors, etc.) – you will be provided with a script to help with announcements
- Coordinate mic takeover with clubs/orgs
- Coordinate music/playlist
- Highlight organizations and activities to drive traffic
- Keep energy up between lulls
- Share schedule updates
- Assist with prize drawings and resource bingo winners
- Coordinate with A/V for microphone and music cues
Requirements:
- Comfortable speaking to large crowds
- Clear, enthusiastic voice
- Ability to improvise and adapt quickly
- Professional and inclusive language
- Attend brief run-of-show review beforehand
- Comfortable standing/moving around the space
Best for: Energetic, playful, likes engaging students
Interaction level: Very High (5/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30pm-1:30pm (x2); 1:30pm-2:30pm (x2)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Run games and prizes, including drawings and tracking
- Explain rules
- Encourage participation
- Track prizes and sign-ups
Requirements:
- Comfortable hyping up the crowd
- Standing for duration
- Clear voice/communication
Best for: Helpful, observant, steady presence
Interaction level: Medium (3/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30-1:30pm (x2); 1:30pm-2:30pm (x2); 2:30pm-3:30pm (x2)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Direct foot traffic
- Help attendees find organizations
- Monitor space and entry/exit points for congestion
- Support accessibility needs
Requirements:
- Standing/walking
- Giving directions clearly
- Situational awareness
Best for: Flexible, adaptable helpers
Interaction level: Medium (3/5)
Shifts Available: 12:30pm-1:30pm (x1); 1:30pm-2:30pm (x1); 2:30-3:30pm
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Fill gaps where needed
- Provide breaks for other volunteers
- Handle quick tasks
- Assist staff with emerging needs
Requirements:
- Willing to do a bit of everything
- Quick learner
- Flexible attitude
Best for: Efficient, physical tasks, low talking
Interaction level: Low (1/5)
Shifts Available: 3:30pm-4:30pm (x5)
Check-in location: Campus Center (CC) Door 34
Responsibilities:
- Break down tables/displays
- Collect signage and supplies
- Load materials for storage
- Clean up courtyard space
Requirements:
- Lifting/moving furniture
- Staying until space is cleared
Questions on Pathways Day?
Faculty Contact: Saah Kpakar
Staff Contact: Tracii Hunter
What Students Say About Pathways Day
- Erin: “A big connection I can make between the two sessions I went to [Pathways to Careers in Health and Building Teamwork Skills] is that in the medical industry, you need to work great as a team and use each other's knowledge to succeed. A lab technician wouldn’t have his or her job without a nurse or doctor, and vice versa. Doctors and nurses collect the sample, while lab technicians test it and send back the results so treatment can begin. It even takes teamwork for a patient to agree with you and take meds or accept treatment. You must be down to earth and understanding about their situation, without getting angry or upset in the process. I also connected both of these to my career goals because now I know that in the medical field I have an option of being in all the action or behind the scenes, which still is saving people’s lives every day. The teamwork session will help me include others in discussion, which can lead to an even more in depth conversation about any topic that my group has to talk about.”
- Zoey: “I’m the first in my family to even attempt to go to college, so I have endless questions and went to three sessions. In the session about resources and money, I learned that I qualify for TRiO! In the transfer info session, I learned about transfer-ology, which is going to be crazy helpful because I want to go to the U of M and transferring credits there can be a little more tricky than most. The last session was the one about the pre-social work pathway. They gave us a nice layout of the best classes to take at NHCC to both save money and make your bachelors experience easier. I got to ask personal questions regarding my specific experience with getting my degree which was extremely helpful. I now have a better plan for what my next couple of semesters should look like before I transfer to give me the best chance at completing my degree. Outside of all that, I had lots of fun. I got to hang out with friends and meet new ones. One of my friends and I played bingo together and I ended up winning a round! We decided to go look at the club tables to talk to new people and see if we wanted to join any ourselves.”
- Angela: “In the social work and human services session, I learned about the human services associate degree and the required classes for that degree. I work in the social work field and the majority of the elective classes that I have taken are in sociology and psychology. I considered changing my degree from liberal arts to human services, but I realized that it would require me to take an extra 20+ credits, so I decided to stick with my Liberal Arts degree. I’m almost done with my liberal arts degree, and I wish I had learned more about the Human Services degree when I first began my education at North Hennepin Community College. At the end of the session, I took one of the handouts and the Social Work Program application for Metropolitan State University. It’s helpful because it goes over the credit and course requirements, reference letters, personal statements, personal experience and requirements for program and degree completion. It was a coincidence that my co-worker just began her education at Metropolitan State University, and she had asked me to write a reference letter for her for the Social Work Program. I really appreciate North Hennepin for setting up this event and the professors that spoke at the sessions. I sometimes feel like I don’t know what I want to do with my life or in my future, but this event was very helpful in guiding me in the right direction. I am very excited to finish up at North Hennepin and start at Metropolitan State to get my Social Work degree and help people. I feel like events like this should be offered once every semester and that students should be required to attend at least one session.”
- Nikita: The first session I went to was led by Dr. Mayorga from the theater department. The entire room was actually packed with people to the point where there were no seats left. We did a few activities that taught us about soft skills. Each activity required us to collaborate more with each other and had opportunities for leadership. I had a broad understanding of what soft skills are before coming to this session, but afterwards, I was able to understand a little more about what it means. The activity we did at the beginning showed us how communication and going past your comfort zone is important, especially in a workplace environment. I learned that soft skills encompass more than just socializing with others, it’s how you present yourself in certain settings, time management, collaboration, empathy, and so much more. Soft skills are something I want to improve upon, especially since they’re a necessity in the field I’m going into. I also want to improve my relationships with the people in my life or even start new ones, and I’m sure these skills will benefit other areas in my life as well.”
- Ariel: “I went to the College 101 and Careers in Health Care sessions. The first one taught me how to become a successful college student. I learned about tutoring, counseling, financial aid, and when to talk to your advisor. The second one taught me about all the different roles in the medical workforce. I learned about laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, and nurses. I learned about some course that I can take if I’m interested in these fields.”
- Heather: “The mental health session was very interesting because they spoke about the importance of helping friends and family members with mental health resources. I learned how to respond to a person who may be in distress. The presenter also told us how to access mental health services on campus and even gave us her card if anyone wanted help or details about the resources that North Hennepin provides.”