Providence Career Workshop & Job Fair shows students fastest growing employment jobs
Story by Misty Bouse. Photos by Ric Getter.
For EMS technicians training on VR headsets is critical.
On July 19, the Portland Community College Willow Creek Opportunity Center hosted dozens of career-curious individuals at the Providence Career Workshop & Job Fair in partnership with PCC Community Workforce Development. The free event for students, job-seekers, and community members offered a behind-the-scenes look at the work culture of Providence, their benefits, how to successfully apply for jobs, and how to connect to entry-level and progressive career opportunities with great potential.
Students and community members experimented with virtual reality headsets and hands-on diagnostic lessons in how to accurately take a blood pressure reading, or how to take infant measurements on baby manikins, and some practiced sterile tray set-ups. Besides these simulations, individuals were offered options to hone their job search with a resume review, LinkedIn tips, and interview strategies.
Participants also learned how to connect with PCC’s fast-track and easy-access training programs through the Institute for Health Professionals at the CLIMB Center, and less-than-one-year (short-term) certificates and degree programs at other campuses, such as Medical Assisting, Emergency Medical Services, and Bioscience Technology.
Why it Matters
Tracee Wells, training and education specialist.
“For those seeking healthcare careers, it is crucial to know that more schooling aligns with higher pay and less unemployment over one’s lifetime,” said PCC Community Workforce Development (CWD) training and education specialist Tracee Wells, referencing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics healthcare outlook.
“The beauty of pursuing a healthcare career is that education and training in the industry is transferable from one healthcare career to another. Healthcare careers offer many pathways and options to stack credentials and this helps students become more competitive when applying for advanced programs and employment opportunities, said Wells.
PCC’s CWD provides additional career education preparation and wrap-around support, especially for students facing barriers to higher education.
Cover Letter Clinics
To help job seekers to fill positions in the healthcare industry, PCC is offering two no-cost webinars to all participants on Wednesday, July 26, in collaboration with Cascade Career Services who will be sharing best practices for cover letters. Landing an interview for the next, desired job just got easier for attendees who can choose from an 11 a.m. to noon session or a 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. session. Both webinars share effective cover letter writing techniques and tips. For more information email twells@pcc.edu or visit https://www.pcc.edu/opportunity-center/.
PCC offers short-term certificates and degree programs for Medical Assisting, Emergency Medical Services, Bioscience Technology, and many more.
PCC’s vision is for career seekers to make better-informed career decisions and to create pathways for health careers with top providers like Providence. The award-winning program ProvidenceReady connects applicants of all ages to healthcare careers through experiential learning and work experiences.
It encourages exploration of the many career opportunities within healthcare via experiential opportunities such as paid internships and more. For more information visit providence.jobs.