Career Pathways

The first conversation involves exploring your personal strengths, interests, skills, values, and personality type using an assessment tool called FOCUS 2. We discuss the results and identify a broad career field that matches up with your personal attributes, such as Art, Business, Human Services, Information Technology or Health Sciences. Under the career field, there are many related clusters and pathways to explore. You will begin to fill your career toolbox with resources and knowledge in order to best evaluate your options.

The second conversation involves discussing what you learned while researching degree and career pathways within a cluster. Your next discovery steps could include: interviewing an industry professional, job shadowing, a virtual work simulation, or other externship experience. Now you have gathered knowledge and some experience to begin the decision-making process. Understanding NHCC degree requirements, university transfer options, and occupational outlook are all considered.

The third conversation involves a deeper commitment to a career cluster and pathway, including creating a plan for short, medium, and long-term career goals, with on and off ramps for directional changes. An internship experience is a valuable learning opportunity to gauge your excitement within your new career pathway. Preparations include honing your career readiness skills and creating a well-crafted resume. You will begin to develop relationships with your chosen industry and create a strong network. Time to create a LinkedIn profile and gather job search tools to launch your new career!