For many college students, earning a degree is only part of the journey. Finding a career path, building professional skills and navigating the job market can be just as challenging. At OCCC, the Career Success and Workforce Development Center aims to help students cross that bridge.

The center provides resources designed to help students become “career ready,” a term widely used in higher education to describe preparation for entering the workforce. Through career fairs, resume assistance, networking events, mock interviews and employer partnerships, the center helps students translate their educational experiences into career opportunities.

“We’re creating a bridge between education and workforce,” said Laura Watts, director of career success and workforce development. “We’re helping students translate their educational experiences into transformative career pathways.”

Watts said one of the center’s primary goals is to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to pursue employment after graduation. The department hosts two career fairs each year and organizes events that allow students to interact directly with employers.

Following the fall career fair, the center hosts a mock interview event called the “Inter-Boo Room,” held shortly before Halloween. The event gives students an opportunity to practice interviewing in a low-pressure environment before facing actual job interviews.

In February, the center also hosted a networking event called “Find Your Perfect Match,” which introduced students to professional networking in a setting similar to industry association meetings and chamber events.

Resume assistance remains one of the center’s most frequently requested services. Rather than writing resumes for students, Watts guides them through the process using resume-building software and individualized feedback.

Watts noted that one common misconception is that the Career Success and Workforce Development Center functions as a job placement agency. While the department does not find jobs for students, it provides guidance, resources and coaching to help them navigate the job search process. Students can receive assistance identifying opportunities, developing search strategies and learning how to market themselves effectively to employers.

Watts said many students underestimate the value of their existing experiences and skills. She recalled working with a student who believed he had no skills to include on a resume. Through conversation, she helped him recognize that activities such as troubleshooting automotive issues demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking abilities.

“When I see those light bulbs go off in students’ heads and I see their confidence build up, that’s my favorite thing about my job,” Watts said.

The center also helps students understand modern hiring practices, including applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for keywords matching job descriptions. Watts encourages students to customize resumes for each position they apply for, increasing their chances of reaching a hiring manager.

In addition to helping students prepare application materials, the department provides resources for career exploration. Watts hopes to introduce new assessment tools that are designed to help students identify majors and career paths aligned with their interests, skills, values and personalities.

One platform under consideration, FOCUS2, would guide students through a series of assessments and recommend career fields and academic pathways based on the results.

Watts said such resources could help students avoid reaching graduation only to discover they are uncertain about their career direction.

“I want to help them when they first get here make wise choices for the major that fits them,” she said.

The center also maintains access to Handshake, an online platform that connects students with employers and job opportunities. Through Handshake, students can search for positions, connect with employers and apply for jobs.

The department itself is relatively new. Watts was hired in January 2025 after OCCC President Mautra Jones sought to rebuild career services following disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watts and former Executive Director Amy Young worked together to redesign the department and create a new identity. They chose the name Career Success and Workforce Development to better communicate the department’s dual purpose.

“The career success portion is student-facing. It’s about the student’s success in becoming career ready,” Watts said. “Workforce development is the employer-facing part, working with employers to provide opportunities for them to meet our students.”

Recently, Watts completed a nine-month training program through the National Career Development Association, earning certification as a career development provider.

She also attended the National Association of Colleges and Employers annual conference, where she participated in professional development sessions and collaborated with career services professionals from across the country.

For Watts, the most rewarding part of the job remains helping students discover their potential and achieve their goals.

“When I feel like I have informed them, coached them, motivated them and encouraged them, and then they’re successful, that’s a good day for me,” she said.

As the center continues to expand its programs and resources, its mission remains clear: moving students from capable to ready and helping connect job seekers to their dreams.