College Career Connections Center Supports Students from the Very First Semester
At Westmoreland County Community College, the Career Connections Center is more than a place to polish a résumé — it’s a resource dedicated to helping students explore what they want to do and how to get there.
Whether a student is just beginning to consider a major, preparing for an upcoming interview or navigating the transition into their first professional role, our team provides insight, encouragement and practical tools for every step of the journey.
The center offers personalized, one-on-one appointments where students can discuss their goals, explore career options and how to work toward their desired career. Staff also collaborate with faculty to deliver tailored classroom presentations that connect academic learning with real-world applications. Through networking events, employer partnerships and job search resources, the Career Connections Center helps students build professional confidence, clarify their direction and take meaningful steps toward fulfilling careers.
According to Diane Metz, Career Connections Center coordinator, an important part of the support is the Career Closet, which provides students with free professional attire for interviews, networking events, internships and the workplace. The Career Closet helps remove barriers to professional opportunities by ensuring every student has access to clothing that allows them to make a strong first impression and feel confident.
“At the heart of our work is a commitment to empowering every student to make informed career decisions,” said Metz. “We strive to provide opportunities for students to develop the career readiness skills they need to thrive — not only in their first job, but throughout their lifelong professional journey.
By embedding career services into the academic and co-curricular experience positions, the Career Connections Center serves not only as a support office, but also as a core educational partner in student success. As a community college, this integration is particularly impactful because of Westmoreland’s open-access mission and diverse student body — including first-generation students, adult learners, career changers and those seeking immediate workforce entry.
The Career Connections Center ensures that every student, regardless of major or background, has the opportunity to develop the competencies and confidence to make informed career decisions. By weaving career readiness into the curriculum, this tactic supports the college’s mission to promote economic mobility and community development through education.
Achieving this requires intentional collaboration with faculty and local employers.
“For example, Radiology Technology students recently participated in a roundtable event with professionals from local health care providers,” Metz said. “Students learned firsthand about the professionals’ career paths, required preparation and ongoing training, and the realities of working in the field. Faculty played a key role in preparing students beforehand to communicate professionally and ask meaningful questions that focused on growth, challenges and career insights rather than just salaries.”
Beyond the classroom, integrating career readiness into student life through clubs, honor societies, and campus events helps students to recognize the skills they are developing outside of the classroom and the benefits of getting involved.
This proactive model of integrating career services into coursework and student life brings resources to students and ensures that career development is not an optional add-on, but an expected and consistent element of every student’s experience.
Whether a student is exploring majors, discovering career options, looking for a part-time job, or preparing for their first interview, the Career Connections Center offers personalized guidance and hands-on tools to help them succeed.