Community Partners Strengthen CCR Career Fair

Jerry Harper (center), director of College and Career Readiness (CCR) at Edgecombe Community College, stands with a core group of community partners who participated in the recent CCR Career Fair held on the college’s Rocky Mount campus. From left are Sharon Williams and Michelle Sweet of NC Works, Harper, Trishonda Roberson of The Impact Center, Ambra Newton of NC Works, and Laurie Jones of Manpower.

The Division of College and Career Readiness (CCR) at Edgecombe Community College recently held its annual Career Fair on the Rocky Mount campus.

College and Career Readiness students from the Tarboro campus and seven CCR off-site locations also attended. In addition, a record number of community partners from area organizations participated.

Through this annual event, CCR students have an opportunity to participate in employment-related activities with the CCR staff and local employers. This engagement informs students about career-related skills and credentials and also helps place students in jobs.

This year’s Career Fair was strengthened by a new component: Student Pathway Alliance sessions. “We have seven career pathways that have been created for our students,” explains Jerry Harper, director of CCR. “Through these pathways, students may earn an industry credential in addition to improving their basic skills.”

These pathways are in Automotive Technology, Barbering, Cosmetology, Certified Production Technician, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Technology, and Nurse Aide I.

Community partners from area agencies, businesses, and organizations who aligned with these pathways met with students during the CCR Career Fair. They shared with the students information about careers in their respective fields and the preparation necessary to become employable.

“All of our students ultimately select a career pathway,” Harper says. “Through these pathways, College and Career Readiness students complete course work in a curriculum that is taught in the context of their chosen career pathway.

“Our mission is to ensure that what they learn at ECC is relevant to their goals.”