STCC Career and College Transfer Fair draws hundreds of students looking to connect

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Springfield Technical Community College students flocked to the Career and College Transfer Fair where they had an opportunity to talk to employers in the region and representatives from colleges.

One STCC student, Dani Hernandez, studies liberal arts and is considering enrolling in the Criminal Justice program. Hernandez wanted to speak with colleges about transfer opportunities.

“It’s a good idea to check out the schools that are available and have the program that I want to study,” Hernandez said.

Students as well as alumni and friends of the college who came to the event on Oct. 19 had a chance to meet with representatives from about 20 colleges and universities. Attendees also could talk to any of the 40 to 45 employers that had tables set up in the gymnasium of Scibelli Hall (Building 2) at STCC. Employers said the job market remains strong, with positions open at companies across the region. Many businesses are looking for candidates who bring skills they learned from degrees and certificate programs at STCC.

Jay Talbot, vice president of Human Resources at Guidewire, a nonprofit that provides care for people with disabilities, said he looked forward to speaking with students and other attendees.

“We love these types of events because we’re seeking energetic people. It’s great to meet these students who can help us build our workforce,” Talbot said.

Manufacturing company L3Harris Technologies, a defense contractor with a location in Northampton, was set up at STCC with three employees who are alumni: Zachary Bednarczyk ’22 and Brad Ellis ’21, both graduates of the Optics and Photonics program, and Joe Mekal ’14, who received a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and a certificate in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

“Everything I learned from STCC translates almost directly to what I do,” said Bednarczyk, a test technician B at L3Harris, a company that manufactures products that use optics and photonics technology for the Navy.

We love these types of events because we’re seeking energetic people. It’s great to meet these students who can help us build our workforce. Jay Talbot, Vice President of Human Resources, Guidewire

Optics and Photonics is one of the STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) programs at STCC that cannot be found elsewhere in the region. STCC, the only technical community college in Massachusetts, offers degree and certificates in a variety of manufacturing, STEM and healthcare programs. The college, the most affordable in Springfield, also offers popular business, social services and liberal arts transfer programs.

Students looking for information about transferring to a four-year institution after STCC could talk to people like Morgan Donovan-Hall, director of transfer admissions at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

“The goal of UMass Amherst working together with STCC is to bring opportunity and access to higher education,” Donovan-Hall said. “We want to help break down some of the barriers for them and let them know this can be a simple process, and there’s someone to help them every step of the way.”

At the Westfield State University table, Joanna Lenfest, a transfer counselor at WSU for day full-time division, said she was answering questions about the size of the campus and classrooms. She told people about MassTransfer, a program that provides seamless pathways and financial incentives to start at STCC and transfer to a state college or university.

Through MassTransfer, STCC students can save money and make progress towards their bachelor’s degree.

STCC’s Workforce Development division organized the Career and College Transfer Fair. Gladys Franco, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Development, said she was thrilled with the turnout.

“We saw students and others streaming in and out of the gym all morning. They asked excellent questions and were able to network and hopefully find opportunities,” Franco said. “Thank you to the employers and colleges and universities who joined us for the event to help with our mission to support students as they transform their lives.”

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 unequaled 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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