College and Career Readiness

There are many aspects of my job that I truly enjoy. One is that I get to help adult students that are trying hard to better their positions in life. I frequently receive calls from potential students asking for assistance. The vast majority of them have either been recently laid off from their lifelong positions or have experienced a life-changing event; some are misplaced homemakers or are underemployed and seeking advice to improve their positions in life and better care for their families.

These folks are intrinsically motivated to learn a new skill or add to their knowledge base by improving their ability to qualify for a better or new career. Providing career advice becomes a critical and big part of my job. Fortunately, Tulsa Tech has several resources available to assist adults and full-time students in determining their path to success.

I often begin by referring students to our career center for support, where they are able to do career interest testing. This helps then determine where their skills and aptitudes are, and from there, they can discover the careers that utilize their talents and interests. Together, we can then discuss training and certification programs that are available and build an ideal career path. Together, we can find a program that best meets their needs, whether it’s a full time program or a short-term evening program or an online training that can lead to a certification or licensure.

Tulsa Tech recently unveiled a renovated service called www.HireTulsaTechgrads.com, which provides a direct connection from students to companies that are hiring and, vice-versa, for employers to find skilled labor from our program completers and graduates. This enhances our region’s workforce by connecting students and employers, assuring a well-trained workforce that boosts our overall economic position.

Additionally, we hold frequent job fairs on our campuses, again to directly link business and industry to our students. We may not provide “job placements” but we do one heck of a job providing the linkages necessary for our students to succeed in work, education and in life!

Karen Gutenkauf
2016 OK ACTE PACE Fellow