Changing careers, returning to school, or searching for a new job can feel overwhelming. Many people know they want something different in their lives but aren't sure where to begin. At Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC), the Career and Workforce Development Center helps students navigate those questions, whether they're just starting to explore career options, are in the midst of their program, or are starting to network and look for jobs.
"One of the main reasons students engage in post-secondary education or community college in general is because they're looking for economic advancement," said Maya Watts, SFCC’s Manager of Career Education and Partnerships. "They're looking to get a better job, a higher-paying job, a more consistent job with upward mobility that can support their family. We're here to support students in that process."
Starting a New Career Doesn't Require Having All the Answers
One of the biggest barriers to returning to school or pursuing a new career is uncertainty. Students worry that about picking the right path and program, and what will happen if they change their mind or find out their chosen field actually isn’t for them. Watts and her team say that uncertainty is normal and engaging with career services can help prevent that situation, and help students recover from it if it does happen.
"The majority of students that I've worked with have switched programs, so it’s not unusual at all" said Ariel Maneval, Career Education and Partnership Specialist.
Watts encourages students to connect with Career Education early, especially if they're unsure about their goals.
"Some of our undecided students seek us out for career exploration one-on-one," she said. "We can give guidance on how to look at different career opportunities."
Unlike academic advising, which focuses on course requirements and degree completion, Career Education helps students explore how their interests, experiences, and strengths connect to potential careers.
"There's so much more to a career than just your program," Watts said. "An individual has so many different experiences and skills, and not everybody gets help figuring out how to translate that into the workforce or onto a resume."
Career Changes Are More Common Than People Think
Some students approach college with the idea that they need to commit to a single career path for the rest of their lives. Every day, Watts’s team sees the reality that every career is complicated and can be unpredictable.
"It's not a linear model," Maneval said. "You can go into a job, you might not like it, there might be cultural differences, communication differences, and that fit is just not for you, and that is okay."
She encourages students to view careers as evolving journeys rather than fixed destinations.
"If you are unhappy, find a new opportunity," she said. "Don't feel like you have to be stuck with that lifestyle for the rest of your life."
That philosophy resonates with many students who are considering a career change.
"Our careers are a dynamic part of our lives," Watts said. "They're very personal because we need careers and jobs to survive. It's tied to our ability to provide for ourselves and our families. It looks different for everybody."
Building Experience While You're Still in School
Through the Career and Workforce Development Center, many SFCC students discover that they don't have to wait until graduation to begin preparing for a career. The Career Education team helps students develop resumes, practice interviewing, improve networking skills, and connect with internships and other professional experiences.
Events like Frame Your Future, held at SFCC in advance of its annual career fair, focus on preparing students for the fair by practicing professional networking and getting free professional headshots.
"We're trying to build up more opportunities like that for students to practice," Watts said.
Student employment also plays an important role in career exploration. Students who are unsure about a program or industry can often gain firsthand experience while earning a paycheck.
"If one of those students walks into Ariel's office and says, 'Look, I'm enrolled in this program, but I'm not really sure,' we can look at student employment positions and see if they can do some career exploration and get paid for it," Watts said.
Kristin Ince, Student Employment Specialist, says student jobs can also help address practical concerns while supporting long-term career development.
"Sometimes we have students come in worried about finding a part-time job that's going to work with their school schedule," Ince said. "Student employment is a really good way to support a student who wants a part-time job, wants it to be meaningful, and also be accommodating to the fact that they're a student."
Connecting Education to Workforce Needs
The Career Education team also helps students understand how their educational choices will meet employer demand. Students can access labor market information, explore regional job trends, and learn about industries that are growing.
"We really encourage students to look at labor market data," Watts said. "We also encourage them to begin networking right away. Your networking begins right when you start your program and begin connecting with faculty, classmates, alumni, and even employers.
SFCC programs themselves stay connected to workforce needs through employer advisory boards and ongoing industry engagement, helping ensure students are developing relevant skills.
The office also supports Academic Credit for Prior Learning, which allows eligible students to earn credit for knowledge gained through military service, professional certifications, testing, or work experience.
For adults considering a return to school, that can shorten the path toward a credential or degree.
Education Opens Doors, But Students Create Opportunities
"Your education doesn't land you the job," Ince said. "A resume helps you get an interview, but it's really you, the student, that gets the job."
The teams emphasizes that students and prospective students can and should engage with them early, even—perhaps especially—if they feel like they don’t have the answers about their career and their future.
"I wish students knew that they can just walk in," Maneval said. "There's this stigma of not wanting to reach out, not wanting to ask for help, or just not knowing where to go. We are here for them, and whatever they're trying to work through, we'll navigate that situation together."
Whether someone is looking for a new career, changing jobs, returning to school, exploring career options, or preparing for the workforce, SFCC's Career Education team is ready to help them take the next step. All it takes is walking through the door.
Get in touch with Ariel, Maya, and Kristin at the SFCC Career Education website, or visit them on campus on the ground floor of Building 24, 108C.