Urban Career Coaching Program Success

NOVA’s Alexandria Campus Counseling Department is celebrating the end of a successful school year with our Urban Career Coach Initiative. This program is a partnership between NOVA Alexandria, Fairfax County Public Schools, Justice High School and the VCCS Foundation. Targeted career coaching was provided to students (identified by school staff) who were graduating but did not have defined career plans. The Career Coach, Laëtitia Gnago, has provided job preparation workshops as well as special presentations from our academic divisions to include automotive, paralegal studies, STEM, nursing and health sciences. Approximately 80 of the students in the program have elected to enroll at NOVA.  

The culminating event before high school graduation was the Job Fair. After several years, Justice High School was provided with an in-person event for students on Thursday, May 5th. The goal was to connect students to local employers who were seeking to hire current high school students as well as recent graduates. Over 150 Justice High School students attended and were able to talk with representatives. Participating employers included: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County WIOA Youth Program, Goodwill, United States Army, United States Air Force, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine, Horizon Day Camp, Old Navy, PetSmart, Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread and Wegman’s. NOVA Workforce also shared information on options for post-secondary training and certifications. 

Over the summer student participants from Justice High School will have the opportunity to schedule continued coaching appointments and receive guidance with their on-boarding to NOVA. For students that are seeking employment and/or are not electing to come to NOVA, they will still be provided with information/resources that can assist them with their career planning. 

Submitted by:
Sherri Anna Brown, AL-Assoc. Dean of Student Success, SABrown@nvcc.edu