Career Development receives Lincoln grant to aid student success

Career Development at Ivy Tech Community College Northeast has received a grant from the Lincoln Financial Foundation to continue a job placement program for graduating students.

The $40,000 grant, which extends the full 2016 calendar year, will be used to expand the existing program to help pay for national certification tests in Automotive Technology and welding. By passing these national tests, students increase their employability. Tests cost between $100 and $200 each, and students will be able to take two to four tests each.

Participating students receive a number of other benefits: They meet with an employer networking panel during the last two semesters of their final year. The panel will provide students with the soft and hard skills necessary for their respective fields. Panel members will also review resumes and host mock interviews.

Students will also participate in Career Development career fairs and workshops/presentations about topics including professional development and etiquette. The grant also provides shirts and ties for male students at a discount and tops and blouses for female students.

The grant covers students in the following programs:

• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology
• Construction Technology
• Building Construction Technology
• Design Technology
• Healthcare Specialist
• Automotive Technology
• Visual Communications
• Nursing

“This is a great opportunity for students to connect with employers on our campus,” Career Development director Joe McMichael says. “Many interactions with employers have given students opportunity learn about local companies and set up interviews, and some have been offered employment.”

SUCCESS STORY
Gael Apollon, a student in Automotive Technology, attended the College’s Automotive Networking event in spring 2015, put on in part through the current year’s Lincoln grant. He met with several companies seeking employees in auto body repair and secured two interviews. One interview was with Kelly Automotive Group, who offered Apollon the position.