Welcome back to the Career Center for the Spring 2020 Semester!

What did we do during the Fall 2019 semester?

• Learning Styles Inventory
• Career Interests, Skills Confidence, and Work Values Inventories from OkCareerGuide.
• iCAP Planning Document 1 which asked questions regarding your results from the three assessments in OkCareerGuide.
• WorkKeys Workplace Documents, Graphic Literacy, and Applied Math Assessments with the goal of earning a WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate.
• WorkKeys Assignment which compared your scores on the three assessments with minimal scores suggested for a career of your interest.
• iCAP Planning Document 2 which asked questions regarding your future career and educational plans.
• iCAP Planning Document 3 which asked questions regarding current resume if you have one.

What do we have planning for Spring 2020 semester?

• Complete any of the work listed above that hasn’t been completed yet such as iCAP Planning Documents 2 and 3.
• Create and/or update a Work Resume (different than scholarship resume).
• Discuss and complete a job application.
• Discuss and create a cover letter.
• Discuss some do’s and don’ts for job interviews and job interviewing tips.
• Discuss and answer some possible job interview questions.
• Discuss and create a job interview thank you letter or email.
• Update your Portfolios (black binders) to include all the information listed above as well as actual copies of any certifications earned.
• Take any student organization and/or end of year course exams arranged by your instructor.

 

Information for Posters for Student Tours

All high school students (not adult students) need to click the link  –  Poster Information – and then complete the information requested.  Please take some time to think of about your answer to the last question.  This information will be used in the creation of posters for the hallways for student tours this spring! If you need some ideas or help with grammar or spelling, please let me know.  Mrs. Barton, Marketing & Communications Director, will be using this information along with photos of high school students to create posters to be placed in the hallways this semester.

 

Scholarships Information

Any students needing additional help with scholarships may visit Career Center on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:30 – 11:00 am and/or 12:40 to 3:30 pm.

NWTC Foundation Scholarship Applications –  Due January 22

Applications are now being accepted for Northwest Technology Center (NWTC) Foundation Scholarships.  Only high school seniors and adults may apply.  Applications for the Spring 2020 semester are due by January 22.

Each year a portion of the monies raised by the NWTC Foundation will go to support scholarships for deserving students. This financial assistance may include books, tuition, and other educational costs. The Foundation Scholarship committee assists in the establishment of scholarships and the selection of the recipients.

Adults only may apply for the Fall NWTC Foundation Scholarships. High school seniors and adults may apply for the Spring NWTC Foundation Scholarships.  To claim the scholarship, students will be required to show that they are incurring some type of educational expense for either the current semester or next summer or fall.

Students may download the NWTC Foundation Scholarship application –  NWTC Foundation Scholarship Application 2020. Please download this application to your folder within the Document folder on your computer and then open the application in Adobe Acrobat before completing the form! If you don’t download and save then open in Adobe Acrobat your work may be be saved in case you need to go back and edit the information later!

For more information about NWTC Foundation Scholarships, please contact Melinda Barton, Marketing and Foundation Director at 580-327-0344.

 

Otha Grimes Scholarship Applications (Adult Students Only) – Due January 22

The Otha Grimes Scholarship is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Foundation and offered in the Fall and Spring to ADULT students who might not qualify for other financial aid.

Scholarships are to be used for expenses that directly relate to a student attending a technology center class. Allowable expenses include: tuition, mileage to and from school, books, uniforms, conference registration fees, school supplies, and childcare, if not paid by another source.

Application and instructions for the Otha Grimes scholarship may be downloaded below:

• Otha Grimes Application Tips
• Otha Grimes Scholarship Application

Only adult students may apply for the Otha Grimes scholarship. Scholarship Applications for the Spring 2020 Semester are due by January 22, 2020!

For more information about the Otha Grimes scholarship, please contact Karen Koehn, Career Counselor, at the Alva Campus or Ashlee Sneary, Director of Financial Aid and Human Resources.

 

OkACTE/ESSP Casy Cundiff Outstanding Student Scholarship – Due April 15

Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation The Casy Cundiff Scholarship is Sponsored by OkACTE Education Services/Special Populations (ESSP)  is offering a student the financial scholarship award to acknowledge the achievement of a career and technology student(s) who is a person with a disability and has overcome barriers to achieve his/her highest potential for success. The purpose for this student scholarship is to assist the student in accessing or completing a career and technology education career major or entering into the occupation for which he/she has trained.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. The criteria used to select the winner will include the student’s career goals, financial need, unusual circumstances, and letters of reference. The student is required to provide documentation of disability which may include test summaries, summary of performance, or a clear diagnostic statement by an appropriate qualified professional.
2. Each nominee must provide two (2) letters of reference. One of the references must be from a person actively involved in the applicants’ current career and technical education in Oklahoma.
3. High school transcripts and/or a list of career and technical courses completed must be submitted with the attached application.
4. All information in this application must be typed or computer generated. In order to receive maximum points in the consideration process all responses to questions should be between 50 -150 words.
5. Answer all questions. Applications which do not include: answers to all questions on the application form, two letters of reference, high school transcripts and/or a list of career and technical courses completed, documentation of disability which may include test summaries, summary of performance, or a clear diagnostic statement by an appropriate qualified professional “Examples: IEP / 504 / or diagnosis” will be considered incomplete and eliminated.
6. Each application form must be complete and provide specific information about the applicant. Photos, news clippings, original works of art, etc., which help support the application are encouraged and may be submitted. Materials submitted in support of the application will not be returned.
7. Signature form for applicant (including parent/guardian signature if applicant is under 18 years of age).

Use of Scholarship Funds The Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE)/Education Services Special Populations (ESSP) is offering a student the financial scholarship award to acknowledge the achievement of a career and technology student(s) who is a person with a disability and has overcome barriers to achieve his/her highest potential for success. The purpose for this student scholarship is to assist the student in accessing or completing a career and technology education career major or entering into the occupation for which he/she has trained. Up to 2 scholarship awards between $250 and $500 will be made depending upon funds available and number of scholarship awards presented. Scholarship awards must be used to assist with the cost of tuition, fees, books, tools, and/or other expenses connected to employment or training. Application Deadlines Nomination forms must be postmarked on or before April 15 of the year applying for award. Completed applications must be received by Sharon Baker, ESSP Advisor Career and Academic Connections, 1500 W 7th Avenue, Stillwater, OK, 74074. Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OkACTE) Education Services Special Populations (ESSP)

Download Scholarship Application – Casy Cundiff Scholarship App  – Deadline April 15th.

 

Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education – Washington/DuBose Memorial Scholarship – Due April 30

The Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education (OAMCTE) believes that educating young people in career and technology education is a positive step in providing role models for future generations of youth. As we continue to focus on education, our efforts turn to an important aspect of our organization – scholarship. One of the goals of our scholarship program is to provide assistance to deserving minority students who plan to further their education. In so doing, we are offering two (2) Renae Washington-Lorine DuBose Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. We believe this is one small way of helping to make this dream a reality for individuals who can become positive role models for others.

Applicants for the scholarship must plan to enroll in a full-time program at an Oklahoma Career and Technology Center or as a full time student in an accredited institution of higher learning for the Fall Semester of 2020 and the Spring Semester of 2021. The recipients must provide proof of enrollment prior to receiving the awards. After proof of enrollment is provided, the scholarship funds will be made available to the recipients chosen career and technology center or institution of higher learning. The student will then receive the full scholarship amount during the first semester, upon enrollment. Scholarship proceeds must be used to assist with the cost of tuition, fees, books, and/or tools. If a scholarship recipient does not complete his or her course of study, the remaining proceeds will be returned to the donor, namely the Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education or the Oklahoma Career Tech Foundation. Selection of the Scholarship recipients are based on financial need and the ability to benefit.

Applications must be post marked no later than Friday, April 3, 2020. Scholarship winners will receive notification no later than Friday, April 30, 2020. Recipients are invited to attend the Career & Technology Summer Conference on Thursday, August 1 where they will be presented with their award.

Download the application – Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technical Education Scholarship Application

 

Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education – Essay Scholarship – Due March 6

The Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education (OAMCTE) is offering an essay contest.  Students meeting all three of the following criteria are eligible to apply:

1. Currently enrolled and attending a Career and Technology Education class or program
2. A high school junior or senior
3. A member of a minority race

Essay criteria:

1. Essay theme is “Why I Chose Career and Technology Education as Part of My Career Pathway”.
2. Papers should be typed double spaced with font size 12.
3. Length of essay is 500 words minimum and 700 words maximum.
4. Include a cover sheet with your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, school name, program name, grade, the name and phone number and email address of your instructor.
5. A color photo

For more information regarding the essay contest, download the flyer – OAMCTE Essay Contest Flyer

 

NWTC Tuition Waiver

The NW Tech Tuition Waiver allows 75% of tuition costs to be waived for eligible students.  The student will be responsible for program fees as well as the remaining amount of tuition. In order to be eligible for the tuition waiver, adult students must either currently reside in the NWTC district OR have graduated from an in-district high school or have successfully completed a high school equivalency diploma, while residing in the NWTC district.The NW Tech Tuition Waiver can be used within 3 school years from the time of high school graduation or receiving the high school equivalency diploma.  The student may choose to attend NWTC half-time or full-time within the 3 school year timeframe.  The NW Tech Tuition Waiver can be used towards tuition for one Career Option within a daytime Career Program.  Waiver awards will vary depending upon the length of the Career Option chosen by the student. There is no dollar amount tied to this tuition waiver.  Recipients of the NW Tech Tuition Waiver are required to maintain a minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) and minimum attendance of 90%.  To be considered for this award, an application for the NW Tech Tuition Waiver must be completed along with an application for enrollment and an official high school transcript or copy of high school equivalency diploma.  Students who receive a tuition waiver will still be able to apply for other financial aid.

Click here to download Northwest Tech Tuition Waiver.

 

Blessings Box/Student Pantry

Did you know NWTC now has a “Blessing Closet” available for students? The “Blessings Closet” contains non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for students who may need them.  It is located in Office 3 which is right East of Multi-Purpose Room.  If you need assistance finding the “Blessings Closet” please ask any staff member.

 

Job Opportunities

I will continue posting job openings that are sent to me on the Career Center website. You may find this information on the Job Opportunities page – http://nwtech.edu/alvacc/job-opportunities/ – which is located on the Career Readiness menu as Employment Opportunities or by clicking Announcements on the menu and then selecting the Employment Opportunities category

 

Personal Financial Literacy Makeup Days

If your name is listed below, please ask me or check the list by the Career Center door to see when you need to make up any Personal Financial Literacy lessons. Remember this is required for high school graduation in Oklahoma and there will NOT be a makeup for makeup days.

• Devin Dowdy – January 22 – 8:10 am

 

Introduction to Resumes

The following Job Genius video provides an introduction to writing a resume. The video is provided by Express Employment Professionals.

Have you created a resume in an easy to read professional format?  You should include a heading at the top of the resume that includes full name, full address, phone number and email address.  Sections of your resume may include qualification summary, education, licensure, work experience, additional skills, professional memberships, community activities, honors and awards, and references.  Be sure to use formatting that allows the reader to easily distinguish between the different sections.  Proofread your final copy.  Sometimes it is easier to download a document and work in Microsoft Word and then re-upload to the Google Drive than utilize Google Docs.  You may choose whichever method is easiest for you.  Links to sample resumes are available on the Resumes page – –  (http://nwtech.edu/alvacc/resumes/) –  on the Career Center website.

Be sure to…..

1. Put a copy of your resume in stored in the Google Drive folder I have created for you on it is completed!  Do not “share” your resume with me from a different folder.  You may need to download it and then drag it into that folder I created but have a copy of your resume stored in the folder I have shared with you.
2. Put the most important sections towards the top of the resume.
3. Put most recent information within the section at the top of the section.
4. Include certifications such as WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (if you scored at least a three or higher on the WorkKeys tests)
5. Include Northwest Technology Center (not Alva Votech  or Northwestern Technology Center) and your program name in the education section.
6. Include honors such as Outstanding Attendance or Student of the Quarter if it applies.
7. Use an easy to read font but not the standard Times New Roman that many other people may use.
8. Ask me to look over your resume before printing your final copy.