At Mt. Hood Community College, supporting learner success and partner innovation are woven into the fabric of the institution. The college partners closely with local business, government and nonprofits to help learners during all walks of life achieve their individual goals and get connected with career opportunities.
The Career Planning & Counseling Center (CPCC) at MHCC serves as a one-stop shop for students seeking to connect with local and regional employers and to prepare for job seeking and interviews. Additionally, the CPCC helps employers that want to connect with current students and alumni.
“If a student’s goal is to find a job or internship while in college or upon graduating from MHCC, we offer the tools and knowledge to help them achieve that goal,” said Jennifer McNeil, MHCC’s career development coordinator.
Resources available from the CPCC encompass both in-person and online tools ranging from interviewing workshops and career counseling sessions to online job boards and career fairs. Some resources are available to more than just students – for example, local employers and MHCC alumni can access the college’s Online Career Development and Job Board to find and/or share local employment opportunities.
“Career counseling should ultimately begin within the first few terms of a student’s time in college,” said McNeil. “It can involve something as simple as an initial meeting to help the student map out his or her career goals and identify milestones. The sooner a student accesses our resources, the sooner we can connect him or her to potential employers and help plan for the future.”
One way that MHCC connects students, alumni, and community members to local and regional employers is through its regular career fairs. At the Fall Career Fair held last October, more than 250 students and community members attended, along with representatives from 70 employers.
For employers, it’s a chance to promote their organizations and provides them access to a local workforce, according to Cathi Forsythe, Human Resources Analyst with the City of Gresham.
“We’ve gone to every single career fair at the college for the last four years,” said Forsythe, who is a 2012 alumni of MHCC. “One of our focuses is providing job opportunities to people living in the area, so the MHCC career fairs help connect us to that local population.”
The City of Gresham maintains an open and competitive hiring process. However, Forsyth said that when she and other City representatives attend MHCC job fairs, they offer guidance on preparing application materials and submitting a quality application, which is an additional benefit for jobseekers in attendance.
David Proterra, a direct care supervisor with supported living provider Westside Community Focus, said that attending local career fairs offers him important perspective on recruitment and hiring approaches.
“It’s been helpful to see and understand what potential employees are looking for and what they want in a job,” he described. “Plus, I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to meet the variety of people looking for employment.”
Mark your calendars for the Spring Career Fair on Thursday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Vista Dining Hall. More than 65 employers will be in attendance.
Need help creating a resume or practicing for an upcoming interview? Visit mhcc.edu/CareerCenter or email mhcareer@mhcc.edu.
[sidebar]
Don’t miss the Spring Career at MHCC
Thursday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Vista Dining Hall, Room AC2002
MHCC Gresham Campus
26000 SE Stark St.
- 65+ Local and Regional Employers
- Job Opportunities in a Variety of Industries: Criminal Justice, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Government, Nonprofit
- Chance to Put Your Best Foot Forward and Discover What Leading Employers Can Offer You!