Prepare for Beyond the Classroom
At JCTC, we believe preparing students for life after college requires meaningful personal connections and work outside the classroom. The CREW Career Center, as well as faculty and staff, have numerous resources to support this goal.
Understand the Job Market
JCTC students should understand the job market to know what jobs are available now and in the future; what skills are necessary for these jobs; the salary you can expect when you enter the field as well as in the future; degree or certificates you must have to qualify for the job; and professional associations related to the career field. Use these resources to learn about about the job market:
- Explore local, regional, and national job market and compensation information on ONET and the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Use the NACE Salary Calculator to calculate the salary for your desired career.
- Use the Career Calculator to find jobs and education data for the greater Louisville area.
Network with Professionals
Networking is an essential part of advancing career goals. Graduating from college is just one part of working toward your career goals. You need to connect with others, be vocal about your interests and career goals, and build relationships with people who can share their knowledge. Review these activities to get additional information on several networking possibilities:
- Connect with a professional in an industry you are interested in pursuing and conduct an informational interview to learn more about the career field.
- Create a LinkedIn profile to network and connect with professionals in your industry. LinkedIn has over 100 million users and is the world’s primary professional networking website. Review the LinkedIn Profile Checklist (pdf) to make sure you have the best possible LinkedIn profile.
- Participate in volunteer work and co-curricular activities to gain related experiences in your career field and enhance your skills. Review the Volunteer and Co-curricular Handout to get started.