STCC Career and Transfer Fair opens door to opportunities

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Students flocked to the Back to Business Career and Transfer Fair at Springfield Technical Community College on Dec. 8 looking for opportunities to get a foot in the door at area businesses.

Employers with a need to fill positions said they were thrilled to meet STCC students and other fair attendees to find out if they were a good fit. The fair also attracted representatives from area colleges who helped students with questions about transferring to get their bachelor’s degrees.

Adreanna Rivera of Springfield, an occupational therapy assistant student at STCC, said her visit was fruitful.

“I found some great shadowing opportunities before I graduate,” Rivera said. “I can get some experience in field work. The career fair is really terrific for students or people working who need a different job. It’s a chance to find out what career will be great for you.”

STCC President John B. Cook said the career and transfer fair was an ideal way to connect employers with students. He thanked the more than two dozen employers for joining the event, which raised funds for the STCC Foundation to support students.

“I’m thrilled that we have an event like this on campus,” Cook said. “STCC is a pathway to a career. Our students graduate with the skills employers are seeking. We’re grateful for our partnership with businesses throughout Western Mass. They’re helping us get ‘back to business.’”

Dr. Shai Butler, Interim Vice President of Advancement and External Affairs, reflected on the success of the Career and Transfer Fair. Employers from STEM and advanced manufacturing fields as well as healthcare and other industries were on hand to meet with the students.

“We were impressed with the turnout,” Butler said. “There was a steady stream of students throughout the afternoon. They were dressed for success and connecting with the employers. They had a chance to get professional headshots. This was a terrific experience for our students to develop skills they will need to talk with employers and network.”

Butler said STCC is planning another career and transfer event for the spring.

The event kicked off in the morning with a recruiters’ breakfast featuring a keynote address by Jason Young, author of the Culturetopia Effect. Young’s presentation focused on how to create a high-performance workplace where employees can do their best.

Jennifer Brown, president of the STCC Foundation Board of Directors and senior business manager at United Personnel, worked a table at the fair where she met with students to discuss career opportunities. She said UT has a need to fill manufacturing positions. She knows other companies are looking to hire.

“People need people right now for jobs throughout the Pioneer Valley,” Brown said. “We are seeing an influx of jobs from manufacturing to customer service to administrative support.”

STCC alumnus Casey Siok works at Gagliarducci Construction as an estimator. He credits STCC with helping him attain success in his career. He earned a civil engineering technology degree in 2007. While a student, he learned how to use AutoCAD, a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application.

“Every day since graduation I’ve worked in an industry that requires the use of AutoCAD and other computer animated drafting applications,” Siok said. “And we’ve used it to increase the efficiency of our layout in the field and estimating in the office.”

Jay Gagliarducci said his company has hired other STCC graduates in addition to Siok. The STCC civil engineering technology program helps supply skilled workers for positions at Gagliarducci and other building companies.

STCC, the only technical community college in the state, is known for science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. The college also offers health degree and certificate programs that align with workforce needs.

“I was just congratulating STCC on this initiative to promote a career fair,”  said Lucila Bruno, chief dental health officer at Caring Health Center. “During these times, I know all industries are struggling to recruit. And the students are just coming back and trying to figure out what they want to do. I appreciate the effort to hold an event like this.”

In addition to employers, college and university representatives met students throughout the afternoon. Marisol Guevara Neal, assistant director for recruitment and admissions at Springfield College, highlighted the value of going to STCC and then transferring to pursue a bachelor’s.

“Once they get an associate degree here at STCC, we will take up to 75 credits toward the bachelor’s degree,” Guevara Neal said.

STCC general studies student Na’Tyia Naylor of Springfield hopes to earn a degree in health sciences. She described herself as a young entrepreneur, so she enjoyed networking and asking questions at the fair.

“I think having a career and transfer fair here at STCC is an amazing idea,” Naylor said. “It not only opens up our windows of opportunities for whatever path we want to go down in life, but it also gives us a different perspective. We may talk with someone at the fair, and that could lead to new dreams, new goals and aspirations.”

Visit the STCCy Notes blog for more photos.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequalled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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