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Pathways to Professional Careers

Career Readiness
Jessica Hobson (BUS ’16), director of career readiness, and Jaron Andrechak (BUS ’19) greeted first year students on Move-In Day in August, 2019. Photo by John Altdorfer

Point Park’s Professional Career-Readiness Center announced a new initiative in partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) aimed at helping economically disadvantaged students develop the skills necessary to successfully transition from community college to a full four-year university. Pathways to Professional Careers will help students entering Point Park through its Professional Career-Readiness Center have access to internships and cooperative education programs that can be stepping-stones to a career path upon graduation.

“Through our Professional Career-Readiness Center, we offer experiential learning opportunities that include internships and cooperative education which allows a student to work as a full-time salaried employee while earning a degree. For students who may struggle financially, this is an unprecedented opportunity to earn a college degree while making full-time wages,” said President Paul Hennigan. Current and future CCAC students will have access to a Pathways to Professional Careers Navigator, who will assist them in developing career readiness skills such as resume writing and interview skills. This navigator will also serve as a mentor throughout a student's enrollment and help transition students to Point Park University.

 

Guidance and mentorship

Additionally, through Point Park’s Professional Career-Readiness Center services, CCAC students will have access to career-preparation guidance and mentorship so that they are more fully prepared to take advantage of experiential learning opportunities once they arrive at Point Park, including cooperative education and internships. Point Park’s Professional Career-Readiness Center and the Pathways program is in part an answer to the Pittsburgh region’s projected potential shortfall of 80,000 employees by 2025, according to the Allegheny County Conference on Economic Development. Regional workforce data also shows that 50 percent of 40,000 annual college graduates will leave the area because they cannot find jobs. This is in contrast to data from Glassdoor, a job and recruitment website that ranks Pittsburgh as “the best large metro area of jobs in 2018...” 

According to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, “I’m delighted that Point Park, CCAC, and Partner4Work have committed to work together to provide cooperative education, internships and career readiness for students. We have always found our greatest successes in this region when we work together and addressing our workforce needs is no exception. This program will ensure students become well-trained professionals ready to join the employment ranks with all the right hard and soft skills. We are grateful to have this local collaboration in our community, and look forward to seeing the many students who will benefit from its creation.”

 

Alleviating economic barriers

“Born from a desire to help alleviate economic barriers for our most vulnerable students, the Pathways to Professional Careers program offers students access to a wide range of academic and career resources and learning opportunities—including valuable on-the-job experience,” said CCAC President Dr. Quintin Bullock. “Together, the Community College of Allegheny County and Point Park University are helping to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s increasingly complex and competitive global workplace.” Pathways to Professional Careers was made possible with support from Partner4Work, a Pittsburgh- based organization that connects funding, expertise and opportunities for employers, job seekers and policy makers.

According to Earl Buford, Chief Executive Officer of Partner4Work “We’re pleased to support this unique partnership to help the region’s young job seekers on the path to a meaningful career. Since program inception in November 2019, Pathways to Professional Careers has enrolled nearly 30 students. The goal is to identify 50 to 75 TANF YDP-eligible students (TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and YDP, Youth Development Program) each year to join the program.

Text by Barb Vilanova
Photo by John Altdorfer
The Point is the online magazine of Point Park University


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