Career Pathways and STEP

Learn more about Career Pathways & STEP at PCC

You don’t have to figure out college alone

Career Pathways and STEP support students as they move forward in their academic and career plans. We work with students who are developing or refining a direction and are ready to take next steps with guidance, structure, and support. Whether you’re a prospective student, a current PCC student, an advisor, or a community partner, this page explains what we do and how we support students.

  • No prior college experience required
  • Supportive, student-centered programs
  • Designed for real people with real lives
Start here: A short overview of Career Pathways & STEP

This short presentation explains who we serve, how our programs work, and how students can get support. It’s a great place to start if you’re new—or if you’ve heard about us but want clarity.

Prefer to read? Click here for a written summary.

Wondering if Career Pathways or STEP might be a good fit?

Not sure where you belong yet? That’s okay. This short, low-pressure questionnaire can help you explore whether our programs might support your goals.

  • There are no right or wrong answers
  • Your responses are not shared
  • This does not commit you to anything

https://tally.so/r/b5WlG7 

PCC Career Pathways & STEP Resource Guide

The PCC Career Pathways & STEP team created this Resource Guide to help explain who we are, what support we offer, and how to connect with us. It is for students and for anyone who supports students and wants to learn more about our work.

How to Describe the Program

The PCC Career Pathways & STEP program provides personalized coaching and support for students who are ready to move toward a defined career goal.

We work with students who are preparing to enter the workforce and are enrolled in—or planning to enroll in—in-demand, family-supporting careers – through short-term training and career-focused programs at PCC.

Our role is to walk alongside students as they move forward, helping them stay on track, navigate PCC systems, and connect to resources.

Who the Program Is For

Career Pathways & STEP may be a good fit for students who:

  • Have a clear career goal and know what type of job they are working toward
  • Are preparing for employment through career-connected education
  • Are enrolled in (or planning to enroll in) an eligible PCC program

Students typically qualify through one of the following pathways:

  • Enrollment in an approved Career Pathways Certificate, or
  • Enrollment in an approved Career & Technical Education (CTE) program while receiving SNAP benefits

(Eligibility details and program lists are available on our website.)

About Career Goals

Having a defined career goal is an important part of this program.

If a student is still exploring career options, that’s completely okay. In those cases, we help connect students to PCC Career Services for career exploration support. Students are welcome to reconnect with Career Pathways & STEP once they’re ready to move forward with a clear direction.

Here are some free resources to help you explore career options and training opportunities:

  • A great place to start is PCC Opportunity Center – Offers no-cost, open-to-the-community classes focused on high-wage, high-demand industries like healthcare and manufacturing, plus skill-building and job search support. They also frequently offer scholarships: https://www.pcc.edu/opportunity-center/
  • Attend one of the Portland Community College Information Sessions to explore majors, degrees, certificates and resources — a great step toward choosing or changing your major: https://www.pcc.edu/visit/information-sessions/
  • WorkSource Oregon – They also offer the STEP program and may be able to support you sooner than the PCC Career Pathways & STEP program can. In addition, they often have funding available for training programs listed on this HECC-approved list: https://learn.hecc.oregon.gov/Program-Search/
  • PCC Career Services – Career exploration tools, job search support, and assessments. They often have free, online webinars such as Career Planning 101: Choosing a Major/Career.: https://www.pcc.edu/careers/
  • Oregon Career Information System (CIS) – Explore occupations, programs, and more: https://oregoncis.uoregon.edu/
  • My Next Move – A simple, interactive career exploration tool: https://www.mynextmove.org/
What Support Looks Like

The core of Career Pathways & STEP is one-on-one coaching. Support may include:

  • Regular check-ins with a coach
  • Help navigating PCC systems and processes
  • Connections to funding, campus resources, and practical tools
  • Support staying on track with school and career goals

Financial support may be available for some students, depending on eligibility and funding availability.

Getting Started with Coaching

Students join Career Pathways & STEP through a coaching waitlist. To be ready for coaching, students usually need to:

  • Apply to and be accepted to PCC
  • Be admitted to an academic program
  • Meet with an academic advisor
  • Clear any holds on their PCC account

Wait times for coaching vary. Students are contacted when a coach becomes available.